Down the Stretch 344 for August 17, 2026

It was the 167th running of the King’s Plate at Woodbine and 5 other Stakes. The filly, Luster proved she is the best racehorse in Canada. Trainer Josie Carroll has a 4th King’s Plate, and trainer Kevin Attard dominated the rest of the card with 5 wins. We have coverage of the Class of 26 getting inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, including Mike Saftic, Michael Burns Jr. and Richard Dos Ramos. There’s a 2-year-old pacer named Woodmere Rockit, who is the best rookie horse out east. The Stable boss Anthony MacDonald tells us why Garnet Barnsdale is an astute owner. Had To Be Fabulous won for the 15th time in 18 races when she crushed it in the Princess Maturity at Ajax Downs. And call them the ‘Fishy Four’ – 4 horses, with a lot in common, won at Monmouth and Saratoga on the same afternoon and we tell you why this wasn’t a normal outcome.