Episode Details

Today, Larry goes one on onewith Fair Grounds Handicapper Joe Kristufek , who discusses and handicaps some of today’s race card and in particular three of the stakes races including the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes. He also talks about theimportance of the Risen Star as a prep race for the upcoming Louisiana Derby on March 22nd also at Fair Grounds and talks about how he originally became so deep in Handicapping Thoroughbreds for a living.;Woodbine Thoroughbred Owner Mary Self, who discusses one of her horses No More Options and the significance of running in the King’s Plate last year. She also discusses her restaurant in Ocala, Florida which caters to the horsemen and talks about the importance of trying to run No More Options at Saratoga this Summer.; Standardbred Groom Paige Porter, who discusses why she not only wears her passion for Harness Racing on her sleave, but also on her neck in the in the form of a 15 digit number. She also mentions about the significance of a horse by the name of My Gouda and also why her goal  this year is to have a horse that wins  an Ontario Sires Stakes blanket.

In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks aboutlast week’s O’Brien Awards that recognized the best in Canadian Harness Racing and some of the more significant winners, including Friend Of The Show James MacDonald, who won his fourth  O’Brien Award in four years . In our regular feature,‘Road Trip’, Larry talks about  today’s Risen Star Stakes at Fair Groundsand mentions about some of the history behind  the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ today. He also  provides  his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks, later on in the show.

Bullet points of key topics, guests (who they are) & time stamps: 

● Joe initially talks about the Risen Star and  the field signed on for the race and who he believes the race goes through today. He also mentions the Mineshaft Stakes and how he believes it is the reintroduction of the horse Hall of Fame , who was so impressive early last season and also talks about the Rachel Alexandra Stakes and who he believes the race will go through today . Joe also discusses how he originally became a Track Handicapper and also talks about his method of handicapping horsesand is also asked to finish the following question ‘ If I didn’tbecome a Thoroughbred Handicapper, I would probably be a? --Tune in for Joe’s answer, you may be surprised! 

● Mary initially discusses what it was like to race in last year’s King’s Plate with her horse No More Options and whether she was disappointed in his eighth place finish. She also mentions how important Jockey Ryan Munger has been in the development of No More Optons anddiscusses her restaurant that she owns in Ocala, Florida and how it caters to the local horse racing community. Shealso talks about why it is important to try and race No More Options at Saratoga this Summer, especially for her father and talks about what are the plans for No More Options this upcoming Thoroughbred Racing Season.Mary also mentions some of the other horses that she has been involved in the past and how she originally became part of Thoroughbred racing. 

● Paige initially talks about the significance of a 15 digit number that is on her neck and  how it helps to reinforce her passion  for horses. She also talks about how she originally became part of the  Standardbred industry which included being introduced to Driver/Trainer Mark Horner and discusses how last year was significant in that she had her first OSS Grassroots performer race and with a ‘brutal’ trip, h