Down the Stretch for June 30, 2025

The Canada Day Racing Festival at Woodbine gave us 5 Stakes races and Canadian Horse of the Year Patches O’Houlihan gave us cause for concern after his wayward win in the Highlander. A great night at Mohawk Friday for Jody Jamieson – he had 4 wins including a pair of Stakes. We meet apprentice rider, Xarel Forde. He tells us how much he enjoys winning at Woodbine and how he got his unusual name. Harness driver Scott Wray won for the 1000th time; it took him only 16 years. We’ve got him on the phone to talk about it. This podcast has every race from last week’s card at Ajax Downs as those in attendance wondered if their coupon for free ice cream could be redeemed. Also: + There’s going to a Go station built at Woodbine + Trainer Shawn Steacy has broken through the $10,000,000 mark + What were the odds that the first 4 winners last Thursday at Hawthorne would all pay exactly the same? + What were the odds that the first 9 winners Friday night at Mohawk would all be favourites? + And after proposing to your lady in the winners’ circle, wouldn’t you bet on a horse called Please Marry Me?