Today, Larry goes one-on-one with breeder Rafael Weiss, who joins Ponies 24-7 for the first time as excitement builds around Ocelli’s start in the one hundred fifty-first running of the Preakness Stakes. Weiss and his family’s Rosedown Racing operation bred Ocelli, who shocked the racing world with a third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby at odds of seventy to one. Rafael reflects on the emotional roller coaster of watching a horse his family bred nearly win North America’s biggest race and discusses the difficult decisions surrounding whether to retain or sell Ocelli as a yearling following the passing of his father in twenty twenty-four. He also shares insight into balancing the family’s racing operation with his leadership roles in commercial real estate and technology, while discussing what a potential Preakness victory would mean for the future of the Rosedown breeding program.
Also today, Woodbine Mohawk Park General Manager Heather Flaherty joins the show for the first time to preview one of the track’s signature annual events, Fireworks and Family Fun Night. Heather outlines everything fans can expect from the evening, including live racing, family activities, food offerings, giveaways, and a major fireworks display following the card. She discusses the importance of creating accessible community events that introduce new fans and families to harness racing, while also looking ahead to another major date on the Woodbine Mohawk Park calendar, the Pepsi North America Cup in June. Heather also explains the responsibilities that come with overseeing one of the premier Standardbred racing venues in North America.
Then, veteran Standardbred trainer David Menary returns to Ponies 24-7 as he prepares a powerful trio of pacers for the Charles Juravinski Memorial Pace final at Flamboro Downs. Menary discusses Bruno No No No’s record-setting performance in last week’s elimination, where the pacer became the fastest ever over the Flamboro oval while setting a Canadian pacing record on a half-mile track. David also previews his other finalists Sugar Man and Fifth And Five, while reflecting on his journey through the harness racing industry and the milestones that have helped him surpass one thousand career training victories. He shares insight into his current stable, his goals for the season ahead, and some of the horses he believes could have breakout campaigns in twenty twenty-six.
In our feature “In Case You Missed It,” Larry recaps the biggest racing headlines from the past week across North America. Later, he delivers his Ponies Picks of the Day, sponsored by Rocket Ship Racing, highlighting potential wagering opportunities at Woodbine, Woodbine Mohawk Park, and several other tracks racing today. And in this week’s Road Trip, Larry heads to Laurel Park for the Grade one Preakness Stakes, a mile-and-three-sixteenths test for three-year-olds and the second jewel of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.