Mark McKelvie, Woodbine Senior Manager of Communications / Scott Zeron, Harness Driver / John Mattine, Thoroughbred Trainer

Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Woodbine Senior Manager of Communications Mark McKelvie as the spotlight shines on one of the biggest nights in North American harness racing, the one million dollar Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Mark breaks down the highly anticipated final, featuring elimination winners Odds On Mr Mamba and Sweet Lovin Lou, while also discussing the surprising first career defeat of Beau Jangles and whether the talented colt can bounce back in the sport’s premier race for three-year-old pacers. Mark also previews the Fan Hanover Stakes, highlights the major wagering opportunities available on tonight’s card, and looks ahead to several of the marquee events still to come at Woodbine Mohawk Park, including the Mohawk Million. On the Thoroughbred side, he provides an update on preparations for this summer’s King’s Plate and discusses some of the horses and jockeys who have caught his attention during the early stages of the Woodbine season.Also today, harness driver Scott Zeron returns to Ponies 24-7 ahead of one of the busiest and most important race cards of his season. Zeron discusses his drive aboard Sweet Lovin Lou in the Pepsi North America Cup and shares his thoughts on the colt’s chances in the one million dollar classic after an impressive elimination victory. He also talks about picking up the drive on Easy Station in the Fan Hanover final and Champagne Problems in the Armbro Flight final, providing listeners with insight into several of his key drives on the stakes-filled card. Scott reflects on his approach when driving a horse for the first time, discusses some of the greatest horses he has driven throughout his career, and shares the racing accomplishments he still hopes to achieve.Then, Woodbine trainer John Mattine joins the show for the first time to discuss a career that has produced more than six and a half million dollars in purse earnings and a long list of successful runners. A second-generation horseman, Mattine talks about growing up in a racing family, the influence his father had on his career, and the lessons that helped shape his training philosophy. He reflects on some of the top horses he has trained over the years, discusses the day-to-day demands of managing a stable, and provides an update on how his twenty twenty-six season is progressing. John also previews a pair of runners competing on today’s Woodbine card and shares his thoughts on the current state of racing at the Toronto oval.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 Woodbine Mohawk Park for the one million dollar Pepsi North America Cup, a one-mile showdown for the continent’s top three-year-old pacers.