Episode Details

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Turfway Park racing analyst Kaitlin Free, who returns to Ponies 24-7 to break down one of the most important Kentucky Derby prep races of the season, the Grade three Jeff Ruby Stakes. Now the richest race ever held at Turfway Park with a purse of seven hundred seventy-seven thousand dollars, the Jeff Ruby offers one hundred Kentucky Derby points to the winner and features a full field of contenders looking to secure their place in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. Kaitlin analyzes the field, discusses how the Tapeta surface can impact race outcomes, and explains the history and growing importance of the Jeff Ruby Stakes on the Derby trail. She also previews other stakes races on the card, including the Bourbonette Oaks, and shares insight into her career path and how she became involved in Thoroughbred racing at Turfway Park.

Also today, Woodbine’s Manager of Racing Content Alanna Nolan joins the show to discuss the continued success of the award-winning docuseries Free Rein, which recently returned for its third season. Alanna takes listeners behind the scenes of the series, including the powerful “Healing with Horses” segment, and explains how story ideas are developed and brought to life. She reflects on the original vision for Free Rein, how it has evolved over the past three seasons, and its role in connecting new and younger audiences to the sport of horse racing. Alanna also discusses her career path that led her to Woodbine Entertainment and looks ahead to future projects, including preparations already underway for this year’s King’s Plate.

Then, two-time O’Brien Award winning harness driver Mark MacDonald returns to Ponies 24-7 to share his remarkable and emotional journey back toward the sulky following a series of serious injuries. After suffering a major accident that resulted in a broken back and ribs, Mark fought his way back to driving, only to endure additional setbacks including another spill, a broken hand, and lingering health complications that required further medical attention. He opens up about the physical and mental toll of those experiences, describing a period where he felt like he was drowning, and provides an update on his recovery as he works toward returning to competition at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Mark also discusses his goals for the upcoming season, reflects on some of the top horses he has driven, including North America Cup winner Sportswriter, and shares what continues to motivate him as he looks to get back to the winner’s circle.

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 Turfway Park for the Grade three Jeff Ruby Stakes, a mile-and-an-eighth test for three-year-olds on the Tapeta surface and a key stepping stone on the road to the Kentucky Derby.