Down the Stretch for December 16, 2024

From the final day of racing at Woodbine, we check out the Steady Growth Stakes and the individuals who dazzled in 2024. On Saturday, the La Prevoyante Stakes came down to a very close photo between a heavy favourite and the longest shot. We celebrate the career of Justin Stein, who has quit riding to become a steward. Ron Sadler’s Northern Ruby, a 10-year-old, ran for the last time and finished her career in the winners’ circle. Another extraordinary milestone for driver James MacDonald, but he’s got a long way to go to match what 84-yearold Don McKirgan did last week. Western Fair’s Drivers Challenge means a lot of children will get toys this year. We’ve got a race from England in which brothers James and Sean Bowen dead-heated and perhaps the most important horse race of the year took place in Charlottetown when The Grinch went up against Santa Claus.