Episode Details

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, who returns to Ponies 24-7 following a major victory in the Grade three Tampa Bay Derby aboard The Puma, firmly placing the three-year-old on the Kentucky Derby trail toward the first Saturday in May. Castellano, one of the most accomplished riders of his generation, has recorded more than five thousand nine hundred career wins and purse earnings exceeding four hundred sixteen million dollars. A four-time Eclipse Award winner as North America’s outstanding jockey from two thousand thirteen through two thousand sixteen, Javier also captured the two thousand twenty-three Kentucky Derby aboard Mage, trained by Gustavo Delgado Sr. In the interview, Castellano reflects on The Puma’s impressive Derby prep performance, discusses the similarities between The Puma and Mage, and considers whether the colt could emerge as a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender. He also talks about his journey from Venezuela to the top of the North American riding ranks, mentors who helped shape his career, his involvement with the Jockeys’ Guild, and the races that remain on his personal bucket list.

Also today, Thoroughbred trainer Tara Neigel joins the program for the first time as she prepares for a new chapter in her training career at Woodbine. Neigel recently relocated from Vancouver following the closure of Hastings Racecourse, ending more than a century of Thoroughbred racing history in British Columbia. She discusses the difficult decision to leave the Hastings circuit, the impact the closure has had on horsepeople across the region, and why Woodbine became the next destination for her stable. Tara also talks about spending the winter months at Gulfstream Park preparing her horses for the upcoming Woodbine meet, outlines how many runners she expects to bring to Toronto this season, and shares insight into the challenges of establishing a stable at a new racetrack while adapting to different racing conditions and competition levels.

Then, Standardbred handicapper Garnet Barnsdale returns to Ponies 24-7 for the first time in two thousand twenty-six to discuss several major developments surrounding racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Garnet breaks down the growing excitement around the Mohawk Million, which recently became oversubscribed with thirty-four slot applications competing for just ten starting positions in the race. He explains what the oversubscription says about the race’s rising popularity within the harness racing industry. Garnet also discusses the recently announced nominees for the one million dollar Pepsi North America Cup, including early standout Beau Jangles, the reigning Horse of the Year who is expected to be among the favorites for the prestigious June event. In addition to discussing the latest news from Mohawk, Garnet shares his approach to handicapping Standardbred races and applies his analysis to a couple of races on tonight’s Woodbine Mohawk Park card.

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 Mohawk Park and several other tracks racing today. And in this week’s Road Trip, Larry heads to Colonial Downs for the Virginia Derby, a mile-and-an-eighth test for three-year-olds on the dirt