Episode Details

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with harness driver Dexter Dunn, who returns to Ponies 24-7 ahead of a busy night at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Dunn has several major drives on the card, including Athenas Girl in the Mohawk Million and Apex in the Canadian Trotting Classic Final after guiding Apex to victory in last month’s Hambletonian Stakes at the Meadowlands. Dexter discusses his beginnings in New Zealand, where he was a ten-time leading driver, his decision to move to North America in twenty eighteen, and the differences between racing on the two continents. He also talks about what has made Apex so successful, his partnership with trainer Marcus Melander, some of the best horses he has driven during his career, and the races he would still like to add to his résumé. 

Also today, horse racing journalist and twenty twenty-five Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Dave Briggs returns to the program. Now Ontario Racing’s Specialist, Communications and Content, Dave previews the upcoming Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Finals on October third and Gold Series Super Finals on October tenth at Woodbine Mohawk Park. He explains the differences between the Grassroots and Gold divisions and discusses some of the major storylines and horses to watch heading into the finals. Dave also reflects on more than thirty years in the horse racing industry, his journey into journalism, his current role with Ontario Racing, and his Hall of Fame induction. He also looks back on a writing career that has earned him thirty national and international journalism awards and discusses the writers, mentors and racing moments that have influenced him along the way. 

Then, Woodbine clocker and morning line oddsmaker Ernie Perri returns to Ponies 24-7 to explain the unique role he plays at the racetrack and put his handicapping skills to work on this weekend’s Woodbine cards. Ernie discusses what he watches for during morning workouts, how he distinguishes a strong work from an ordinary one, and how workouts factor into his overall handicapping approach. He also provides some horses to watch today before turning his attention to Sunday’s stakes action, including the Grand Valley Stakes and the four hundred thousand dollar Breeders’ Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. Ernie also explains his other role as Woodbine’s morning line oddsmaker, how a morning line is created, and how bettors can potentially use it as another handicapping resource. 

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, powered by Amplify Logistics and The Cargo Group, Larry heads to Woodbine for Sunday’s four hundred thousand dollar Breeders’ Stakes, the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, a mile-and-a-half turf test for three-year-olds.