TORONTO, April 14, 2025 – Once a week, from January to April, Woodbine will profile a horse who had a life-changing impact on one of their closest connections in 2024. This week, groom Steve Oneil McIarty, who was born in Jamaica and came to Canada in 1988, and multiple stakes winner Junior Hot Shot. “I love this guy,” said Oneil McIarty, who has worked for trainer John Ross for close to 20 years. “He came back this year looking like a bear. Whenever he races, I am the loudest person at the track. They probably hear me on the backstretch. Sometimes, I scream so loud that I lose my voice. But that’s okay because I want him to know I am his biggest fan.” Junior Hot Shot and groom Steve Oneil Mclarty Junior Hot Shot (ON) Bio Foaled: March 31, 2021 Sire: Souper Speedy Dam: Executive Dreamer Purchased: Sold for $55,000 (CDN) at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale Starts: 10 Wins-Seconds-Thirds: 4-3-1 Earnings: $195,684 (U.S.) Notable races: Won last year’s Elgin Stakes and Lake Erie Stakes. Second in the Lake Huron Stakes and Lake Ontario Stakes. Won debut on Oct. 1, 2023. Third in the 2023 Frost King Stakes. Trainer: John Ross Owner: T and T Racing Team Groom: Steve Oneil McIarty Breeder: Dr. B. Van Arem What do you recall from the first time you met Junior Hot Shot? “The funniest thing is that the first time I met “Junior” was at the sale because I wanted to buy him for myself! But I could not afford him. Maybe two weeks to a month later, Dr. Van Arem called and said John (trainer, Ross) and said, ‘Do you want to train a horse for me?’ I went to pick up the horse and when I did, I said, ‘Boss, this is the horse I was trying to buy.’” “He has this one spot on one of his back legs and he is black – you really notice him. That caught my eye. He looked like a nice horse. He had nice conformation and had the look of a racehorse.” “He’s aggressive, but only in the stall. Once you tack him up, he’s like a pony. He likes to graze, he likes his carrots and he likes his mints.” Junior Hot Shot and jockey Justin Stein winning the Elgin Stakes on August 25, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) What was the most impressive takeaway from his debut win? “It was a good race. I was very excited. He ran a very fast race and I thought, ‘This guy can run.’” What was it like to watch him win the Elgin Stakes? “I really liked him to do well that day. He ran at Fort Erie and won the Lake Erie Stakes – he went wire to wire and showed that he can run on the dirt.” “One of the things I remember most about the Elgin Stakes was that he bit me in the winner’s circle. Everybody was laughing and telling me it was a love bite. But it is okay. I love my horse, and we get along well.” What are the three best words to Junior Hot Shot? “Excellent. Heart. Strong.” How has he changed your life? “He is a lovely horse, and he knows how to run. He never gives you any trouble. I did put a cone outside his stall this year because he is even more aggressive than last year. But he knows me and we are always happy to see each other. When I went to the farm over the winter, I called out, ‘Junior!’ and he came running to me. It is very special to have that connection. I love all my horses and the bond that you have with them is the best thing in the world. I love being a groom.” Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
