Woodbine Mohawk Park will host an all-women drivers race in celebration of International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8.

In last year’s International Women’s Day race at Mohawk, Julie Walker guided Prince Of Sussex up the inside and pulled away late to win by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:55.4 as the 2-1 second choice.

An accomplished trainer in Ontario, Walker has 368 lifetime wins and has sent out starters earning more than $4.5 million. She has driven winners of 13 races and nearly $100,000 in limited sulky starts.

“I got my [driving] license to help with the horses I train, not to be a driver,” shared Walker. “I think if I started driving when I was 19 or 20 like most of the guys do, I would’ve driven more, but I was intimidated. Once I was in my 30s, I didn’t care, but it’s harder to get started then.”

This year’s race is the fourth edition of the International Women’s Day race at Mohawk. The event began in order to recognize the participation of women in harness racing, something that was rare in the past. ​

“Growing up in Owen Sound, I was kind of isolated,” recalled Walker. “But I remember going on a trip with my dad to Hawkinsville, Georgia and seeing two women who could do it all: Rebecca Titus and Sally Foxworth. Their success, and the success of my mom, Lori Thomson, Vicki Gregg, and Susan Walker, to name a few, has been inspiring.”

Alongside Walker driving in Saturday’s race will be Marie-Claude Auger, Natasha Day, Marielle Enberg, Pam Forgie, Maggie Jones, Anita Ouellette, Anne-Marie Turenne and Jesse Turenne.

“Maybe some of us in this race don’t want to be catch-drivers, but any opportunities we have to drive, we should take, to increase opportunities for women in the future,” said Walker.

The reigning Women’s Day champ has no nerves, only excitement for Saturday's race.

“You only get nervous when you haven’t done it in a while, and I’ve been training my own horses enough that I’m ready. I’m looking forward to it.”

As for her bustling stable, Walker hinted that racing fans can be on the lookout for some strong Ontario-sired three-year-olds coming from her barn this upcoming season. ​

Horse racing is unique in the way that men and women compete alongside one another at the highest level of the sport. Woodbine Mohawk Park is proud to celebrate the women of Standardbred racing with the upcoming International Women’s Day Race, and in their vast accomplishments throughout the year. ​ ​

Post time on Saturday is 6:30 p.m. ​The International Women’s Day race will be the third race (with an approximate post time of 7:26 p.m.).

To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(With files from Woodbine)