Down The Stretch Podcast

In the first podcast of 2021, Peter Gross has a wide-ranging series of stories. There’s Jon Stettin, whose podcast is called After the Wire and not only does he comment on some of the best racing stories of 2020, he tells Down The Stretch how he hit a Pick-6 that paid over half a million dollars. Thanks to Joe Tilley Sports, we have clips from Eurico Rosa da Silva and writer Bruce McDougall; the latter talking about Riding For Freedom, the wonderful book he wrote with da Silva, who walks us through some of his greatest victories. Contributor Garnet Barnsdale is up for an O’Brien Award for a story he wrote and he handicaps his chances against Chris Lomon. We’ve got a head-scratching story about newlywed jockeys Katie Davis and Trevor McCarthy who decided to ride in New York for the winter only to find that there’s this ridiculous rule that if two jockeys who are married to each other are in the same race, their horse must be coupled in the betting. And last week at Turfway Park, jockey Akifumi Kato won a race. This got our attention because Kato is...69.

This is the 50th and last Down The Stretch podcast of 2020. Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson defends his controversial tweet that challenged the government’s stoppage of horse racing. Sam-Son Farm is selling off many of its broodmare, all of them in foal and David Whitford identifies some great ones. Sylvain Filion won the final race at Mohawk...and many others during the season. Looking back on the year in racing, several industry players picked out their favourite races. And there’s one race at Los Alamitos that caller Michael Wrona won’t be putting on his resume. Find out why in this Down The Stretch Podcast.

This podcast presents a wide range of horse racing stories. There was a huge Pick-5 payoff at Mohawk as well as two legs of the Valedictory Series and two more of the Niagara series. Ever wonder what a track announcer does when he can’t see any of the horses? We’ve got a minimalist race call from the Meadowlands. Shannon Henry tells us how her husband Trevor and seven other thoughtful drivers will be donating all their winnings so that children can get gifts for Christmas. Get ready to sing along to songs with walking themes as we hear how Adriano Sorella lost 140 pounds in less than 8 months. Ever heard of a recall in a thoroughbred race? Neither have we...well until this week at a track in England. And if your ears can handle it, this Down The Stretch podcast gives you a twisted version of the 12 Days of Christmas.

Did it take us 47 podcasts to discover the horse racing story of the year? Garnet Barnsdale tells us about Brandon Campbell who won two big Stakes races at Century Mile after breaking both wrists in a wild accident. Host Peter Gross wonders why jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson never gets serious consideration for the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada’s best female athlete and we hear from Wilson on this. Jody Jamieson scored a four-bagger at Mohawk Saturday night, but he probably wasn’t quite as excited as the guy at the Winners off-track theatre in Sydney, Nova Scotia who took down the entire Pick-5 pool Friday night. And as racetrack owners enjoy the fruits of slots at their properties, how does this jeopardize the live racing? Peter tells us about two tracks in the U.S. that are no longer on the betting landscape. This Down The Stretch Podcast is grateful for the contributions of the Rolling Stones and Simon and Garfunkel.

This week’s Down The Stretch Podcast will certainly give you something to think about. Make sure you listen to the end for Peter Gross’ show stopping parody of the Grinch That Stole Chistmas. Before that, Jim Lawson, Jennifer Morrison, Sue Leslie, Justin Stein Steve Buffery and Tia Menard comment on the government’s abrupt stoppage of thoroughbred racing at Woodbine. How did Jose Bautista get in this podcast? In fact, why are we thanking Elton John and Kiki Dee? And Monomoy Girl fetched HOW MUCH at the sale?

Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine came to an abrupt end. Was it Rafael Hernandez or Justin Stein who won the jockeys’ race? There were multiple Stakes races at Woodbine, milestone wins for Mark Casse and driver Trevor Henry. There was a Crossover Pick 5 that no one could figure out. What did harness horse guy Adriano Sorella do when he discovered a horse he once owned was in a kill pen? Your horse finishes 7th, 40 lengths behind the winner and they pay you off – yes, that happened. And how marvelous was it that Billy Crystal took part in this podcast?

A full cast of players in Down The Stretch Episode 44 – Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson talks about a casino takeover, single sports betting and fixed odds betting. Harness horse owner, Marvin Katz rhapsodizes about his great pacer, Tall Dark Stranger. Racing Analyst Jeff Bratt tells us why next weekend’s Stakes races at Woodbine could determine the Horse of the Year. On Friday the 13th, one horse player won over $17,000 for a 20 cent bet. County music start Buck Owens makes a guest appearance and if you’ve found this year’s U.S. elections to be a laughing matter, you’ll enjoy the silly Presidential Race Cup by Australian comedian Sammy J.

Host Peter Gross loved all the Breeders’ Cup races, even if there wasn’t a single Canadian horse winning. How did trainer Kevin Attard feel when his wonderful mare, Starship Jubilee tossed her jockey right out of the gate in the Filly and Mare Turf? This podcast has the call of all 9 races from Saturday. You will also hear how badlu Mark Casse did at Keeneland on the weekend, but how great he did at Woodbine. On the harness racing side, a spectacular milestone for driver Trevor Henry and a self-stamped birthday present for Jody Jamieson. When Shes A Sassy Beach swept a Stakes series at Mohawk, it made for an emotional call from her owner, Ken Middleton who shared ownership with the recently deceased Bill Galvin. If you have an HPIbet account, there’s a new way of funding it as we find out from Woodbine’s Kevin Maharaj. And this Down The Stretch Podcast has some more Mic’d Up from Mohawk, featuring driver and play by play man Chris Christoforou.

Host Peter Gross says the Three Year-Old Breeders Crown race at Hoosier Park was the greatest harness race ever. Is he right? And how did a horse driven by Scott Zeron pay so much? This podcast has all the Canadian connections from the Breeders’ Crown, including Bob McClure’s first Crown trophy. Woodbine’s CEO Jim Lawson is in this podcast telling sports fans that even though there is no hockey or basketball this fall, there is plenty of horse racing. Sunday was a huge day at Woodbine for jockey Justin Stein who won the Coronation Futurity and four other races. Horse racing in Canada has changed dramatically with the news that Sam Son Farm is dispersing most of its assets. This podcast looks at the great moments of Sam Son’s amazing horses. Also a wrap from Jennifer Morrison on the quarter racing season and how did Ronnie Hawkins get into this podcast?