Grapes draws post positions for Sunday's Queen's Plate (CBC, 4:30 p.m. ET). (Woodbine/Michael Burns Photo)

Don Cherry was in fine form Thursday as he helped with the draw for Sunday's 149th running of the Queen's Plate at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack (CBC, 4:30 p.m. ET).

The Hockey Night in Canada personality was interviewed by draw host Dan Loiselle on a number of subjects, including horse racing, Doug Gilmour, the Leafs and Hockey Night 's former theme song.

Cherry started with goaltender Gerry Cheevers, who played for Cherry in the 1970s on the Boston Bruins. The goalie also owned horses.

"My daughter was the walker for Gerry Cheevers' Royal Ski, that was in a battle with Seattle Slew for [1976 Juvenile] Horse of the Year," Cherry said.

Royal Ski tended to run Saturday afternoons, so the coach wondered if he should let his goalie know how the horse had gone before a game that night.

"So we're playing Montreal and I told Cheevers that Royal Ski had won that day, and Cheevers went out and beat Montreal — that was the only game they lost at home that year."

Some weeks later, Royal Ski won again, Cherry again told Cheevers and the result was another victory for the goalie.

But the next time, Royal Ski did not win, and Cherry wasn't sure what to do. Finally, he told Cheevers. The Bruins lost.

Ultimately, Seattle Slew won the Eclipse Award as best two-year-old and went on to take the American Triple Crown in 1977.

There were other topics Thursday.

On the subject that has divided a nation in recent weeks, CBC's decision not to pay a huge price for Dolores Claman's The Hockey Theme.

"That ... song was nothing if it wasn't on Hockey Night in Canada, it's just another jingle," Cherry said. "[Claman] has made a lot of money off Hockey Night in Canada, and she doesn't realize, like me, that if it wasn't for Hockey Night in Canada I'd be nothing, and if it wasn't for Hockey Night in Canada that jingle would be nothing.

"I'm just looking forward to Hockey Night in Canada with Stompin' Tom Connors."

Connors' The Hockey Song is one tune being considered by the CBC as a replacement. The network is also holding a songwriting contest.

On former Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs' star Doug Gilmour, who was not voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this week (Glenn Anderson and Igor Larionhov did get in).

"I don't know what they're smoking over there," Cherry said. "I won't knock Larionov or those guys, but to not vote Dougie in is a crime. "

The ongoing argument about the best player ever? Why, Bobby Orr, of course. And second best?

"Wayne Gretzky, no doubt. But Bobby Orr, why I always say he used to fight, score, do it all.

"In his last year, he was plus-128 (goals his team scored when he was on the ice for versus goals scored against), had 46 goals, 89 assists and that fall was the Most Valuable Player for the Canada Cup, and never played again."

On new Toronto Maple Leafs' coach Ron Wilson:

"Ron Wilson has been a winner. Everybody knows he's a pompous, arrogant guy, but he's done it [won] in Washington, he's done it everywhere."

On the Leafs themselves:

"I don't think they'll make the playoffs again [this year], but it's ridiculous getting rid of the guys [they're thinking] of getting rid of.

"And I like the fact they've now said, 'We're going to lose for two years' right after saying [at the start of this past season], 'We're going to win the Cup'."

On re-signing Mats Sundin:

"They haven't made the playoffs in three years, they got rid of the coach and the GM … the year before [this last one] they were trying for the playoffs and [Sundin] never scored a goal in 19 straight games.

"I wouldn't give eight and a half million dollars for him. But if he wants to come back, he should come back. He's a stud. He's not my cup of tea, but he should come back."