Today, Larry goes one-on-one with jockey Julian Pimentel, who joins Ponies 24-7 for the first time after making a remarkable return to race riding following a five-year retirement. Pimentel, who has won more than eighteen hundred races and accumulated over fifty-nine million dollars in purse earnings during his career, reflects on the decision to step away from the saddle in twenty twenty-one and the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic that ultimately influenced his retirement. He discusses why the desire to compete never truly left him, what motivated him to launch a comeback this season, and how it has felt returning to the jockeys' room after such a lengthy absence. Julian also shares memories of riding in the Kentucky Derby and three Preakness Stakes, talks about working for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott early in his career, and reflects on some of the greatest horses he has ridden while looking ahead to the goals he has set for this latest chapter of his career.

Also today, LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society's Vicki Pappas returns to the show to preview LongRun's annual Summer Open House taking place on July eighteenth. Vicki discusses the importance of the event as one of the organization's premier annual fundraisers and explains what visitors can expect during the day, including opportunities to meet retired racehorses and learn more about Thoroughbred aftercare. She also outlines LongRun's mission of retraining and rehoming retired Thoroughbreds, explains the adoption process and the organization's commitment to supporting adopters long after a horse leaves the farm, and shares updates on some of LongRun's most recognizable residents, including fan favourite Pink Lloyd. Vicki also reflects on her own career in horse racing and discusses the many ways people can support LongRun throughout the year.

Then, Woodbine trainer Steven Chircop joins Ponies 24-7 for the first time to discuss a training career that has produced more than three hundred victories and over nine million dollars in purse earnings. Chircop reflects on how he first became involved in horse racing, the mentors who helped shape his career, and the horses that convinced him training was his calling. He also discusses balancing his operations between Woodbine and Penn National, the challenges of training horses year-round, and his success with first-time starters this season. Steven previews tomorrow's My Dear Stakes contender Mrs. D, an impressive debut winner who returns looking to add a stakes victory to her résumé, while also discussing two runners on today's Woodbine card and the goals he has set for his stable during the twenty twenty-six season.

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 The Meadowlands for the eight hundred ten thousand dollar Meadowlands Pace, a one-mile championship for three-year-old pacers and one of the premier events on the North American harness racing calendar.

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Jockeys' Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks, who returns to Ponies 24-7 to discuss the important work the Guild continues to do on behalf of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys across the United States. Meyocks explains the Guild’s mission of protecting and representing riders both on and off the racetrack, discusses its working relationship with HISA, and shares examples of how the organization advocates for jockey safety, benefits, and career development. Terry also reflects on his own path into horse racing, the family influences that led him to the sport, and the journey that ultimately brought him to the Guild’s top leadership position. He also offers his thoughts on the recent closure of Aqueduct Racetrack and shares memories of some of the greatest horses he has seen throughout his decades in racing.

Also today, Woodbine jockey Fraser Aebly returns to the show as he continues another outstanding season on the Toronto oval. Following a breakout twenty twenty-five campaign that included his first Grade one victory, Aebly has carried that momentum into twenty twenty-six with another impressive start highlighted by strong win totals, more than one million dollars in purse earnings, and an outstanding in-the-money percentage. Fraser discusses the keys to his continued success, the impact of his agent Gerry Olguin, and how his riding style has evolved since moving his tack to Woodbine. He also reflects on his early career out west, the adjustments required to compete on Woodbine’s Tapeta and turf surfaces, and the goals he has set for himself, including the dream of one day winning the King’s Plate.

Then, veteran Thoroughbred trainer Steve Owens returns to Ponies 24-7 to reflect on a training career that has produced more than eleven million dollars in purse earnings and twenty stakes victories. Owens discusses how a desire to become a jockey eventually led him into training, and recalls buying Miss Ottavia for just five hundred dollars before watching her win nearly ninety thousand dollars, the horse that convinced him to pursue training full-time. Steve also talks about breeding standout Head Chopper, one of the most accomplished horses of his career, and previews Poulin In O T, the talented sprinter named after hockey star Marie-Philip Poulin, who will contest the one hundred thousand dollar Pink Lloyd Stakes at Woodbine. He also shares his thoughts on several promising young horses in his stable and what he hopes to accomplish during the remainder of the Woodbine season.

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 Saratoga Race Course for the Grade one six hundred thousand dollar Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes, a mile-and-an-eighth turf test for three-year-old fillies.

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with former jockey Yves Turcotte, who joins Ponies 24-7 for the first time after being named the recipient of the prestigious twenty twenty-six Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. Turcotte, who enjoyed a seventeen-year riding career that produced more than one thousand three hundred victories and over eight million dollars in purse earnings, reflects on receiving one of Canadian horse racing’s highest honours and what it means to join his brother, Hall of Famer Ron Turcotte, as a recipient of the award. Yves also looks back on the highlights of his riding career, including victories in the Canadian Derby and Alberta Derby, discusses growing up in one of racing’s most famous families, and shares stories about working alongside legendary trainer Lucien Laurin. He also explains why he chose to remain in racing as a steward following his retirement from the saddle and reflects on the many people who helped shape his remarkable career.

Also today, leading Woodbine trainer Kevin Attard returns to the show to discuss another strong season for his stable as he continues to rank among the top conditioners on the Woodbine backstretch. Attard provides an update on several of his runners competing on today’s card, including Marine Stakes contender Yukon Striker, unbeaten through his first two career starts, and promising fillies Ada Claire, Meloni, and Elusive Yaupon. Kevin also reflects on winning last year's Marine Stakes with Mansetti, provides an update on the King’s Plate winner, and discusses the current depth of his stable, the development of his younger horses, and his expectations for the remainder of the Woodbine season.

Then, veteran Thoroughbred trainer Steve Bryant joins Ponies 24-7 for the first time to reflect on a career spanning more than three decades and nearly four million dollars in purse earnings. Bryant discusses getting his start at Exhibition Park before spending many successful years at Hastings Racecourse, where he became a fixture on the Vancouver racing circuit. He shares his thoughts on the recent closure of Hastings and the impact it has had on horsepeople across Western Canada before discussing his decision to return to Woodbine after previous stops at Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Fair Grounds. Steve also talks about training on some of North America's most competitive circuits, the mentors who influenced his career, and the goals he has set for his stable as he begins another season at Woodbine.

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 Churchill Downs for the Grade one two million dollar Stephen Foster Stakes, a mile-and-an-eighth test for older horses and one of the premier races of the summer season.