Down The Stretch, A Runaway Horse and the Woodbine Turbo-Charged Pick Six

The most recent issue of Down The Stretch is now on news stands across Ontario featuring colourful Queen's Plate coverage and a slew of savvy stories.

Editor Peter Gross comments on his long-time friendship with the Lieutenant Governor David Onley, who represented the Queen at Woodbine this year. There’s an update on the status of Fort Erie and the potential for a new owner partnering with the consortium that helped to keep the track operating this year.

The issue also includes a touching story on harness horsemen Brett Goodall, who shaved his head and went on a diet/exercise program to help a cancer-stricken friend. There’s an update on driver Jody Jamieson, who is on pace to break the Canadian record for wins in a year.

Contributor Bob Carson has a revolutionary (and funny) suggestion about what racetracks can do with unused space.


My own contribution is a look at some of the funny and unusual horse names that have made their way around the Woodbine track over the years. I speak to jockeys Rob Landry and Jim McAleney about their favourites and have a chat with track announcer Dan Loiselle about tongue twisters such as Medidocihospisurg. Lately Woodbine has seen a bit of a food theme with horses like Yummy With Butter and Chickenonastick, but I also reminisce over old faves Blondeinamotel and Fozzie Bear. Waka Waka!

We're all quite proud of this issue of Down The Stretch and hope you like it as much as we do.

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Horse racing takes up about 40% of my Internet time, but there's also a very big chunk of time directed towards music and football. When I say football, I'm talking Liverpool and Champions League and red cards, not the American grid iron version. The Guardian is the best, and funniest, spot to read about footy on the web. Yesterday the Guardian posted their weekly Youtube Report which featured the following clip of a horse joining in on a bike race.

Horse v Bike: I'm betting on the horse!


The Youtube Report often touches on horses or horse racing and I heartily recommend adding it to your list of places to visit on the web.

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Saturday's feature at Woodbine is the Clarendon Stakes with eight Ontario foaled two year-olds looking to jump to the top of the Queen's Plate futures list. This 5 1/2F event is headed by Takiddm who will have to work to fight off Mark Casse's Battle Royal who will be ridden by leading jockey Patrick Husbands. Scott Fairlie's Who's Big Daddy is the 5-2 morning line favourite.

FIELD FOR THE CLARENDON STAKES

POST - HORSE - JOCKEY - TRAINER

1 - Takiddm - Emile Ramsammy - Josie Carroll
2 - Who's Big Daddy - Gerry Olguin - Scott Fairlie
3 - Mobthewarrior - Emma-Jayne Wilson - Greg de Gannes
4 - Sir Heart Throb - Patrick Husbands - Mark Casse
5 - Doctor Jack - Tyler Pizarro - Dan Vella
6 - Southern Pride - Jim McAleney - Greg de Gannes
7 - Mobil Unit - Chantal Sutherland - Mike Keogh
8 - Battle Royal - Patrick Husbands - Mark Casse

On Sunday, Tyler Pizarro and Woodsmoke will attempt to make it two turf Stakes wins in a row when they take on four other fillies in the Ontario Damsel Stakes. Pizarro and Woodsmoke wired a strong field in the Alywow Stakes on Oaks Day at Woodbine and will be tough to beat here at odds of 7-5. The small, but competitive field, will sprint 6 1/2F on the turf course for a purse of $150K. Woodsmoke's biggest threat will likely be Gigolette under the guide of jockey Chantal Sutherland. The Damsel is one of three turf races on the day on a card that features some excellent Allowance features. The Turbo-Charged Pick Six with a guaranteed minimum pool of $150K kicks off on Race 5 on Sunday.

Tyler Pizarro and Woodsmoke Capture the Alywow Stakes


The Field for the Ontario Damsel Stakes - Race 4 on Sunday.

PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 How Far Is Heaven (ON) Husbands 118 M E Casse 6/1
2 Deeveetee (ON) Jones 118 M E Casse 8/1
3 Mullins Beach (ON)Da Silva 118 M Pierce 7/2
4 Woodsmoke (ON) Pizarro 123 M Keogh 7/5
5 Gigolette (ON) Sutherland 118 D R Bell 5/2

I will post my first preview of the Turbo-Charged Pick Six this weekend. The new feature Woodbine bet has been won in both attempts which would seem to prove that Woodbine's full fields and synthetic surface CAN be figured out. Granted, the June 28th winner spent $576 on his ticket. Rest assured, my preview will feature a far less costly ticket.

TGIF racing fans!