Ponies 24-7 The Radio Magazine 105.9 The Region

Larry and Ann are joined by Thoroughbred Owner Harry Veruchi, who talks about his horse West Saratoga, who is a projected starter for the Kentucky Derby on May 4th and how he was bought for just $11,000 at a Yearling Sale. Harry also discusses the interesting sidebars that exist with West Saratoga, including the constant battle that the horse’s Trainer has been having with Cancer and a Jockey, who was considering retirement at the end of last season. He also mentions where the interest in Thoroughbred racing originally came from and how  he knew that West Saratoga was a special horse .Isabel Savransky, of the Ontario Tech University, whose location is on the famed Windfields Farms grounds and who discusses the farm and in particular the cemetery that includes the remains of the great Northern Dancer and several other Champion Thoroughbreds. Isabel also discusses the ‘Doors Open’ Tour on May 4th, which will offer the public an opportunity to visit the former Windfields facility and discusses another Windfields/Ontario Tech University connection that ran until 2020 and mentions two other ‘Doors Open’ Tours in Oshawa that people can visit as well. Woodbine Mohawk Park Handicapper Garnet Barnsdale, who discusses the current 2024 meet and whether there is any extra excitement with the major stakes schedule soon to kick in. He also discusses what a regular week is like for him when handicapping several harness tracks and mentions that he is also a Thoroughbred handicapper as well and talks about a couple of betting angles that he likes to use. Garnet also discusses tonight’s Woodbine Mohawk Park race card and gives a couple of potential ‘spot plays’ on tonight’s races. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look at The Way It Was in Horse Racing News, Larry talks about Thursday nights Sovereign Awards, honouring the best in Canadian Thoroughbred racing and mentions some of the major award winners from the 2023 Thoroughbred racing season. In our new feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about todays Oaklawn Handicap Stakes at Oaklawn Park Racecourse   and some history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ later today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show. 
Key Points:
Harry talks first about the great ‘underdog’ story behind his horse West Saratoga, who is a projected starter for this years Kentucky Derby on May 4th. He also mentions some of the side bars to the story including a Trainer who is battling Cancer and a Jockey that was pondering retirement at the end of last season. Harry also discusses how West Saratoga only sold as a Yearling for $11,000 and what it was that attracted him to the horse in the first place and mentions that the horse has current earnings of over $460,000 now. Harry also says what it would be like if West Saratoga won the Kentucky Derby and when was it that he finally realized that he had a pretty decent horse and Larry gives a ‘shout out’ to the Vail Daily reporter Tricia Swenson for helping arrange the interview with Harry.
Isabel discusses her role with the Ontario Tech University and how she and her department oversees and operates the property at Windfields Farm, which includes the graveyard containing the remains of several Champion Thoroughbreds, including the great Northern Dancer. Isabel also mentions whether there are regular visitors to the grounds  and discusses the ‘Doors Open’  Tour on May 4th, that will offer  the general public an opportunity to visit the grounds and whether the tour was planned for May 4th, to coincide with the fact that it is Kentucky Derby Day and this year is the 60th Anniversary of Northern Dancer’s Derby win. She also discusses two other ‘Doors Open’ Tours that the City of Oshawa has planned and an interesting connection between Ontario Tech University and Windfields Farm, which ran from 2016 to 20

Larry and Ann are joined by Keeneland’s Vice President of Equine Safety, Dr. Stuart Brown, who talks about the StrideSAFE program that uses sensors to help analyze the gait of a horse and can then find any early signs of any problems that may arise. Dr. Brown also talks about whether there was any resistance from the riders with StrideSAFE and discusses where his passion for horses was born and the story behind how he became involved with the Keeneland organization. Woodbine Trainer Kevin Attard, who talks about last years season and some of the highlights for his stable. He also talks about the upcoming 2024 Woodbine racing season and some of the returning horses that he is expecting big things from and Moira. Kevin also discusses what its like to run such a large racing operation and why he hasn’t trained in warmer climates during the off season most recently. Retired Woodbine Jockey Gary Boulanger who is now Farm Manager for the Caledon based CamHaven Farm who discusses his new role at the Rehabilitation Facility  and how he has been able to rely on his skills as a Jockey to aid in working with the horses at CamHaven. He also reflects on his career as a Jockey and in particular what it meant to him when he won the prestigious Avelino Gomez Award in 2017. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the win by Sierra Leone in last weeks Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and also mentions that the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame recently  announced the list of finalists for the 2024 Class, with the inductees being announced on April 24th. In our new feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about todays Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Racecourse   and the history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ later today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show. 
 
Key Points: 
Dr. Brown talks first about how he became involved with Keeneland and more so his role as Vice President of Equine Safety, which he has held since June 2020. He also discusses StrideSAFE, a program that Keeneland recently introduced, that uses sensors to help analyze the gait of the horse and can find any early signs of problems that may arise. Dr. Brown also mentions how every horse racing at Keeneland in the current Spring meet will be equipped with the StrideSAFE sensor within their saddle pad and whether there has been any type of resistance from the riders. Dr. Brown also mentions how other riders’ groups are becoming involved with StrideSAFE and says how he became so passionate about horses which has led to his career as a successful Veterinarian. He also mentions about the Keeneland racing surface and the measures that have been taken to make the track as safe as possible. 
Kevin talks first about last season and whether there were any disappointments with his stable. He also talks about the 2024 season and mentions some of the horses that will be coming back from 2023 and how he has some high expectations for. He also discusses Moira, as he prepares her for her five-year-old racing season and says whether he has mapped out any potential races this year for her and mentions why he hasn’t shipped to warmer climates recently, instead he chooses to train in Ontario. Kevin also talks about what it is like to be part of the ‘Attard family’ and is asked whether he remembers his first win as a Trainer and then states who the best horse that he ever trained was. Kevin also discusses what it is like to train a large stable of horses each year.
Gary talks about his new position with CamHaven Farm as Farm Manager and how his experience and skills as a Jockey has helped him adjust to his new role. Gary also discusses CamHaven and talks about some of the great work they are doing in rehabilitating horses of any breed, which he finds exciting. He also talks about how he kne

Ann and Larry are joined by Keeneland’s Track Announcer Kurt Becker, who talks about the Blue Grass Stakes and why it is an important race on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Kurt also talks about the field for today’s race and who he believes has the best chance of winning and talks about the history of the Blue Grass and where it all began, He also mentions some Canadian content that played an important part to the history of the Blue Grass. The New York Racing Association’s Director, Communications, Keith McCalmont who discusses the stakes filled card at Aqueduct, which includes the Wood Memorial, one of the final points races for this years Kentucky Derby. Keith also discusses the progress being made to the revamp of Belmont Park and the fact that this years Belmont Stakes will be run at Saratoga at a new distance and mentions the retirement of NYRA Track Announcer John Imbriale. Thoroughbred Trainer Kelsey Danner, who talks about racing a string of horses at Woodbine this year and the reasons behind adding a Canadian division to her stable. Kelsey also talks about the robust family background that contributed to her interest in Thoroughbred racing and mentions some of the top Trainers that she worked for and who have helped move along her career. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the Kentucky Derby contender and recent Florida Derby winner Fierceness  and whether he will end up the pre-Derby favorite, and also the undefeated Japanese bred, Forever Young, whose win in the UAE Derby in Dubai ,qualified him to start in this years Kentucky Derby. In our new feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about todays Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Racecourse   and the history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ later today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show. 
 
Key Points: 
Kurt talks first about today’s card at Keeneland and the $1 Million Blue Grass Stakes, which is one of the last major points races for the Kentucky Derby and a race that will see Dornoch and Sierra Leone faceoff against one another again and whether these two horses have a rivalry of sorts. He also talks about a horse that may upset in the Blue Grass and mentions a race on the Keeneland undercard that he is looking forward to watching and gives a quick history of the Blue Grass and how the race eventually ended up at Keeneland. He also mentions about some Canadian content that helped contribute to the successful history of the Blue Grass and mentions whether it is possible that the winner of todays Blue Grass Stakes could possibly win the Kentucky Derby in May. 
Keith talks about the stakes filled card at Aqueduct today and the Wood Memorial and some of the contenders in this Kentucky Derby points race. He also discusses racing at Aqueduct this season and whether it has been a successful meet and talks in detail about the current build out taking place on the new Belmont Park facility. He also talks about the Belmont Stakes and the fact that it will be raced at Saratoga and at a new distance of ground and discusses about Track Announcer John Imbriale who announced his retirement this week. Keith mentions whether he still misses Woodbine where he worked for a long period of time and adds about what he believes are the major differences between NYRA racing and racing at Woodbine. 
Kelsey updates the listeners on how many horses she expects to have racing at Woodbine this year and why she thought that the time was right to have a string of horses stabled here. She also mentions whether she has any goals set for the 2024 season and discusses her family tree and how so many of the branches contain participants in horse racing. She also talks about some of the top trainers that she had an opportunity to work for during her career and whether any of them were

Ann and Larry are joined by Gulfstream Park’s Handicapper Brian Nadeau, who talks about the $1 Million Curlin Florida Derby, a Kentucky Derby points race, and Brian discusses the probable race favourite Fierceness and whether he is a legitimate favourite. He also mentions a couple of other horses who he believes could win the race and discusses what jockey’s have had a ‘break out’ season as Gulfstream’s Championship Race Meet ends on Sunday. Brian also adds what horse he believes had the most impressive Derby points race so far this season. Rideau Carleton Raceway’s new track announcer Melissa Keith, who talks about how she ended up at the Ottawa harness track and replacing a legend in John MacMillan behind the ‘mike.’ Melissa also talks about where she learnt to call harness races and where the passion for the sport comes from and some of the other roles she has played in harness racing. Woodbine Thoroughbred Trainer Mike De Paulo, who discusses the win by his horse Frac Dancer in the $100,000 Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream Park last Sunday. Mike also talks about what the plans are for Frac Dancer this year and why  the next race for him  could be the Woodstock Stakes on April 28th at Woodbine. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the recent passing of Frieda Stronach, who was the Matriarch of horse racing’s Stronach Family and also mentions about the stakes  win by Frac Dancer at Gulfstream Park last Sunday  In our new feature, ‘Road Trip’ , Larry talks about todays Curlin Florida Derby  at Gulfstream  Park  and  the history behind  the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ later today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show. 
Key Points: 
Brian talks first about today’s card at Gulfstream, and particularly the $1 Million Curlin Florida Derby, which is a major points race for the Kentucky Derby and the last big stakes event for Gulfstream’s Championship season. He also talks about the Race Favorite Fierceness and whether he is a legitimate favourite and why he has lots to prove in today’s event and talks about some of the other top contenders in the Florida Derby and why they interest him. Brian mentions why the Florida Derby is an important race on the way to the Kentucky Derby and discusses what horse has run the most impressive Derby Points race to date and why it was impressive. Brian also talks about a couple of Jockey’s that had ‘break out’ seasons at Gulfstream during the Championship meeting. 
Melissa talks about how she ended up as the announcer at Rideau Carleton and what it was like to replace a harness racing broadcasting icon. She also mentions why former announcer John MacMillan was forced to step away from the Announcer’s Booth and whether he gave her any advice on her first night of calling races and adds that he called the first race of the Sunday card, before officially retiring. Melissa also talks about where she acquired the interest in harness racing and discusses some of the roles that she has held within the industry. She also discusses being a women broadcaster in a predominantly male driven career and talks about how she met another industry icon in Bill Galvin and what information she was able to gather from him to introduce harness racing to schoolchildren. 
Mike updates the listeners on the stakes win by his Frac Dancer in the Texas Glitter Stakes at Gulfstream and whether he was surprised by the result. He also discusses how he ended up with Frac Dancer and what the short term and long-term plans are for the horse, this year at Woodbine, including the Woodstock Stakes on April 28th. He also talks about whether he believes Frac Dancer could be a King’s Plate candidate this year and how the colt compares to some of his past good racehorses. Mike also talks about ho

Ann and Larry are joined by Turfway Park’s Racing Analyst and Handicapper Kaitlin Free, who talks about the Jeff Ruby Steaks today at the Florence, Kentucky racetrack and the implications it could have on this years Kentucky Derby. Kaitlin also discusses the Bourbonette Stakes and who she believes are some of todays major contenders in the stakes race for fillies and talks about how she became interested in horses and became involved with Turfway Park as an analyst and handicapper. She also mentions what she looks for when handicapping a race.  Woodbine Trainer Nigel Burke, who discusses how he became interested in horse racing and in particular as a Trainer and talks about two well-known Trainers that he worked for and what was he able to take away from them , to help his own  Training  career. He also talks about his 2023 season at Woodbine and whether he is looking forward to the upcoming Thoroughbred season and if he could go back in time, is there a horse that he would have liked to train and why. Tony O’Sullivan, Woodbine Mohawk Park Racing Secretary, who discusses the recent draw for starting slots for the Mohawk Million race and why a draw was necessary to come up with the ten starting slots. Tony also reflects on the outstanding win by TCI in last years Mohawk Million and talks about why Woodbine Mohawk Park is on a week’s hiatus after tonight’s card of racing. He also discusses what harness fans can look forward to as Woodbine Mohawk Park readies for the Spring racing season. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look At The Way It Was In Horse Racing News, Larry talks about the Mohawk Million ‘Draw For Slots’ this past Wednesday and why it was necessary to hold such a draw. In our new feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about todays Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park and the history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ later today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show. 
Key Points: 
 
Kaitlin talks first about today’s card at Turfway Park and the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, which is a major point race for the Kentucky Derby and discusses the Bourbonette Stakes which is a. race for three-year-old fillies. She also talks about her background in the Thoroughbred industry and surprisingly, why becoming a racing analyst was not her first choice as a career. Kaitlin also mentions that she came from a harness racing family and how she eventually ended up working at Turfway Park and mentions as a handicapper, what she primarily looks at and why when handicapping a Thoroughbred race. She also talks about the Tapeta racing surface at Turfway Park and how the horse’s breeding can sometimes tell whether the horse will like racing over this type of surface.
Nigel talks about how he worked for two respected Trainers, Hall of Famer Roger Attfield and Brian Lynch and when he decided to go out on his own, did he receive any advice from either of them, that helped his own career. He also discusses the 2023 season and in particular highlights that helped him achieve some success, talks about the upcoming season at Woodbine, and mentions a couple of horses that he is optimistic for this year. He also talks about the family connections that he has in racing and in particular connections in Trinidad, Jamaica, and Barbados. Nigel also mentions if he was able to go back in time, what horse he like to train and whether he has any goals set for 2024 at Woodbine. 
Tony updates the listeners on the Mohawk Million ‘Draw for Slots’ this past Wednesday and why it was necessary to have a draw for the September race. Tony also talks about last year’s Mohawk Million race and why the win by the horse TCI could be considered a ‘race for the ages. He also talks about the upcoming Spring racing season at Woodbine Mohawk Park and why the track goes on a week hiatus for a   week, after the conc

Ann and Larry are joined by Thoroughbred Trainer Robertino Diodoro who talks about his horse Ninja Warrior in todays Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn Park. He also discusses his horse Give Me Liberty, who raced last Saturday  in the Tampa Bay Derby and whether he was disappointed in the horses performance and who was the best horse that he has trained to date and why. Chiefswood Stable’s General Manager Robert Landry, who discusses the recent win in the Florida Oaks by their filly Waskesiu and what the future plans are for her. He also talks about Touch N Ride, who emerged on the Woodbine scene in 2023 and became a multiple stakes winner and where he is as far as training up to  the 2024 season. Mike Langlois, co-owner of 2023 King’s Plate winner Paramount Prince, who discusses the horses win last weekend at Gulfstream Park in his first start of the season and mentions a discussion that he had with jockey Irad Ortiz after the race. Mike also discusses how they knew it was time to rest the horse after 13th place finish in the Breeders Stakes at Woodbine and where we may see the horse next. In our feature, ‘In Case You Missed It’ A Look at The Way It Was in Horse Racing News, Larry talks about last Saturday’s race card at Tampa Bay Downs which saw the Tampa Bay Derby run without betting because of a tote malfunction. In our new feature, ‘Road Trip,’ Larry talks about todays Whitmore Stakes at Oaklawn Park and the history behind the race itself and who he believes the race ‘goes through’ later today. He also provides his ‘Ponies Picks of the Day’ selections for several North American Racetracks today, later in the show. 
 
Key Points: 
 
Robertino talks first about his entry in the Whitmore Stakes, Ninja Warrior and how he has been training up to the race itself. He also talks about his horse Give Me Liberty, who was part of the Tampa Bay Derby and whether he was satisfied with the horse’s performance and what the future holds for him. He also mentions whether he thought Give Me Liberty’s performance was affected by the delay in the start of the race, caused by the tote malfunction and who he believes was the greatest horse he has trained so far. Robertino is also asked whether he remembers his first win as a Trainer and where it took place and mentions whether he will be training in Western Canada later this year.
Robert talks about the recent win in the Florida Oaks by Chiefswood’s filly Waskesiu and why he believes she raced so well and whether it was the move to turf that created the turn around in her race form. He also mentions the plans for the filly going forward and how they came up with the name for her and shares how Chiefswood became involved with Hall of Fame Trainer Bill Mott. Robert discusses some of the other Chiefswood Stable’s horses including Breeders Stakes winner Touch N Ride and where he is now as he gets ready for the 2024 season and whether there is a stakes schedule mapped out for him. Robert also mentions how Chiefswood ‘Breed to Race’ and breaks down the multiple divisions of the Stable including an Aftercare program for their retired horses.
Mike updates the listeners on Paramount Prince’s winning performance in his 2024 racing debut at Gulfstream last Sunday and shares a conversation that he had with winning Jockey Irad Ortiz after the horses win. Mike also talks about what kind of temperament Paramount Prince has and how last years poor performance in the Breeders Stakes at Woodbine was a sign that it was time to rest the horse. Mike also talks about Mark Casse as a Trainer and what kind of rapport he has with Mark and co-owner Gary Barber and mentions about how the three became involved with a second horse Souper Supreme last year. Mike adds whether Paramount Prince remains a ‘dream come true’ horse and the special story behind the horse itself. Mike also shares what it would be like to win a Soveriengn Award in April as Paramount Prince is nominated in the