November 27, 2021 “Come on, you raver, you seer of visions. Come on, you painter, you piper, you prisoner and shine! “ From “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” by Pink Floyd. And on Saturday, Pink Lloyd shone, against all odds. There were tears, for sure. Happy ones. Ones with mixed emotions, too. Pink Lloyd wrought a storybook ending to his long tale on … [Read more...] about Pink Lloyd: The Crazy Diamond
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Stormy Skies, Gritty Wins
The sky looked ominous. It couldn’t decide between sunshine and rain and rainbows on Oct. 17, suddenly autumn. The winds chased the dark clouds around and the people too. And beneath it all, French-born trainer Christophe Clements almost swept the $602,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes, winning with British-bred Mutamakina, and finishing second with La Dragontea, another British-bred … [Read more...] about Stormy Skies, Gritty Wins
Never Underestimate the Power of Love
No cherub, he, this God of Love, this horse with the winged feet, at least until he’s good and ready. Jockey Rafael Hernandez thought it would be an excellent idea to get God of Love (the horse) closer to the pace on the yielding turf of Woodbine during the 85th running of the $250,000 Cup and Saucer Stakes on Oct. 10. But God of Love would have none of it. “Nah,” he told … [Read more...] about Never Underestimate the Power of Love
A “Special” Horse Triumphs. Finally.
Special Forces holds a special place in Kevin Attard’s heart. The 6-year-old gelding just doesn’t know quit. No matter what happens, the big red horse is in the pitching. The flow of races and the way he runs hasn’t always worked out to his benefit. He has a litany of second-place finishes in major races at Woodbine. But after missing all of 2020, and having only two … [Read more...] about A “Special” Horse Triumphs. Finally.
The Legacy of Terra: Amalfi Coast
Remember Big Red Mike? How can we forget? He was the horse that won the 2010 Queen’s Plate, that helped trainer Nick Gonzalez win his first Plate in his first try - in front of Queen Elizabeth, age 84. Big Red Mike wore the emerald green silks with yellow dots of the Terra Racing Stable, one of the last bastions of a way of life in the Canadian thoroughbred world that is … [Read more...] about The Legacy of Terra: Amalfi Coast
British Royalty Rules the Turf.
Trainer Barbara Minshall lauds the day that what was lost was found again. On Sunday, she won the 130th running of the Breeders Stakes with British Royalty, a horse she lost through the claiming ranks – but was able to get him back, and quickly. The thought that a horse with such a lofty name could find himself in a claiming race is one thing. But in this contracted … [Read more...] about British Royalty Rules the Turf.
Take the Munny and Run
Munnyfor Ro came over to the Woodbine paddock with her two bodyguards on Saturday, necessary because she’s quickly becoming the Brink’s truck of the Woodbine backstretch. And after winning the $250,400 Wonder Where Stakes, third jewel of the filly Triple Crown, she’s a top candidate for honours as Canada’s top 3-year-old filly. Some say, horse of the year, too. Bet down … [Read more...] about Take the Munny and Run