The $160,600 Niagara Stakes at Woodbine July 25 had its little dramas. Chief among them was the stunning, 4 ½ length, going-away victory by 6 to 5 favourite March to the Arch, a win that made him a millionaire. The 6-year-old gelding, owned by Live Oak Plantation, lay well back in the weeds during the early part of the race – he’s a confirmed closer – while … [Read more...] about March to the Arch in a Different Class
March to the Arch
Mighty Heart Celebrates Canada Day
Back at the barn, Mighty Heart prepares for another race: laid out in his stall, snoring. His neighbours stick cotton in their ears. The racket he makes while he sleeps is rather normal for the horse they affectionately call Willie. In his slumber, his legs move, dreaming of the fun he will have after the starting gate bursts open. In the hours before his race, the Dominion … [Read more...] about Mighty Heart Celebrates Canada Day
A Jubilee of Epic Proportions
“Come on, mama,” Tino Attard repeated to Starship Jubilee as she floated into the paddock before the $1-million Woodbine Mile on Sept. 19. It was almost like a chant. He was rather like a pacing parent. The elder Attard was a believer in this spunky 7-year-old mare. She made believers out of the rest of us moments later. At odds of 6 to 1, Starship Jubilee trounced … [Read more...] about A Jubilee of Epic Proportions
Queen’s Plate or bust
We’ve waited a long time for this 161st running of the Queen’s Plate, as in an extra three months or so, but finally we have the clues as to what it will look like. Aside from fences instead of spectators, sanitizer stations instead of Timbits, and barely familiar faces wrapped in all manner of masks, Woodbine and its premier $1-million race looks like a close … [Read more...] about Queen’s Plate or bust