Today, Larry goes one-on-one with Highfield Investment Group Vice President of Racing Entertainment Centres Paul Ryneveld following the announcement that Highfield is acquiring Century Mile Racetrack and Casino near Edmonton and Century Downs Racetrack and Casino near Calgary. Paul discusses what the acquisition means for horse racing in Alberta, Highfield’s involvement in the racing and breeding industry, and the Munro family’s investment in the sport. He also explains the importance of keeping horsemen involved in the operation of the two racetracks, the role casinos play in supporting racing, and why transparency and communication with Alberta horsemen will be priorities going forward. Paul also discusses marketing, plans to rename both tracks, horse supply in the province, and the timeline for Highfield’s plans for the two properties. PONIES 24-7, OCTOBER 3RD , 2026
Also today, Keeneland track announcer Kurt Becker returns to Ponies 24-7 during the opening weekend of Keeneland’s autumn meet. Kurt previews today’s graded stakes action, including the Grade one Coolmore Turf Mile, the Grade one First Lady Stakes and the Grade one Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity. He discusses some of the horses entered in those races, including Rhetorical and Zulu Kingdom in the Turf Mile, Madanaba in the First Lady, and Coach Pope and American History in the Breeders’ Futurity. Kurt also reflects on his career calling races at Keeneland, what makes the track unique, how he became a race announcer, and the announcers who influenced his style. He also looks ahead to Keeneland hosting the Breeders’ Cup on October thirtieth and thirty-first. PONIES 24-7, OCTOBER 3RD , 2026
Then, Chiefswood Stables General Manager Robert Landry returns to the show to catch up on the operation and preview several Chiefswood runners at Woodbine. Robert discusses his responsibilities as General Manager, the different divisions of Chiefswood and the goals established for its racing program. He also previews today’s runners, including Cobourg, first-time starter Liam’s Riddle and Western Whirl, who competes in the two hundred fifty thousand dollar Grade two Nearctic Stakes after finishing third in the race last year. Robert also looks back on his own riding career, which included more than two thousand victories and over sixty-nine million dollars in purse earnings, and discusses his decision to retire from riding and some of the jockeys he competed against during his career. PONIES 24-7, OCTOBER 3RD , 2026
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 Keeneland for the Grade one one million two hundred fifty thousand dollar Coolmore Turf Mile, a one-mile turf test for three-year-olds and up. PONIES 24-7, OCTOBER 3RD , 2026