ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Patches O’Houlihan makes his much-anticipated season debut Sunday at Woodbine in the $100,000 Thorncliffe, a 5 1/2-furlong overnight stakes. Voters have chosen Patches O’Houlihan to receive the Sovereign Award for champion male sprinter in each of the past two years. A nagging foot problem delayed his return to the races last year until July, after which he reeled off four consecutive stakes victories on Tapeta and turf. Shipper Nobals was all out to beat him when he last saw action in the Grade 2 Kennedy Road in November. Jockey Sofia Vives was aboard when Patches O’Houlihan breezed a half-mile in a sizzling 45.60 seconds on April 25, after which he galloped out three-quarters in 1:11. “He’s doing really good,” trainer Robert Tiller said. “He’s as good as I can get him. He’s training as good as he’s ever trained, and he’s working better than he’s ever worked.” Tiller said receiving the Horse of the Year award at the Sovereign Awards ceremony on April 24 was a surprise to him and owner Frank Di Giulio Jr. They also campaigned 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd, a five-time champion sprinter. :: DRF Kentucky Derby Package: Save on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more. “I wasn’t expecting Horse of the Year,” Tiller said. “They usually don’t give it to a sprinter. It’s a tremendous honor.” Di Giulio is looking forward to seeing his popular homebred get his campaign under way. “I really enjoy watching him run,” Di Giulio said. “You know he always shows up. He’s very genuine and he always tries. It’s nice to have that confidence in him going into a race.” Five others were entered in the Thorncliffe, including three-time Canadian champion Filo Di Arianna and the well-traveled I’m A Gambler. The Mark Casse-trained Filo Di Arianna beat out Patches O’Houlihan for Canadian champion male turf horse honors last year, during which he took the Grade 2 Highlander and Grade 2 King Edward. The Brazilian-bred 9-year-old has been idle since ending up second in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile in September. Irish-bred I’m A Gambler made his first 24 starts in England in 2021-22, where he was a useful but inconsistent runner on turf. He then failed to win in nine starts in California before finding his niche here on the Tapeta last year, during which he won three conditioned allowances. He chased Patches O’Houlihan home in three graded stakes, earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure when a close third in the Grade 3 Bold Venture. Trainer Kevin Attard is encouraged with the way I’m A Gambler has trained heading into the Thorncliffe, which will be his first outing in 5 1/2 months. “It’s a very tough race, and he could be a tad short, but I couldn’t be happier with the way my horse has trained this spring,” Attard said. Rounding out the field are Flag of Honour, Ironstone, and Runnin’ Rocket. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.