Tomorrow may be the day that the Irish celebrate the renewal of their Derby, but the day does not belong to just them alone, for across the pond, in Canada, the 152nd running of the prestigious Queenâs Plate will take centre stage at Woodbine. To be contested over the 10f trip on a left handed, polytrack surface, the event, restricted to three year olds, is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, which also incorporates the Prince of Wales Stakes, to be run next month, and the Breederâs Stakes which takes place in August. With a cool $1,000,000 on offer, the race has bought together a capacity field of 17 combatants for the much anticipated contest. But all is not as it seems, the barrier draw has set the cat among the pigeons. Before the draw, the Roger Attfield colt Check Your Soul looked to have a very strong hold on the race. Fresh off a slashing win in the Queenâs trial, where he went to the post hard held, to record a three and a quarter length win. After a tardy start, he came three deep off the turn to cement himself as favourite for this race. sadly for connections, he horse drew the thirteen slot, which has allowed him to be offered at around the 3-1 quote. the breat worry is that he may not be able to spot some of these a start and a beating, if he strikes trouble in transit. Heâs the one to beat. The really interesting horse in the race is Inglorious, the only filly in the event. On the same day and over the same distance as the Queensâs Trial, Inglorious made off with the Oaks. Her rider Luis Contreras was most effusive when climbed off the filly after her win. The time she clocked was six tenths slower than Check Your Soul, but they dropped anchor in the third sectional in the Oaks which put them a second and a half slower with a half mile to go. Inglorious rushed home and looks a real threat to the colts. Having drawn 9, she comes into the race as a 9-2 chance. Another big chance is Bowmanâs Causeway who finished second in the trial behind Check Your Soul on his first try on the Woodbine surface. He made his run with the favourite, but wasnât good enough. Drawn out in the boonies is a huge mark against him. His rider Eurico Rosa De Silva has only had the two rides in the race, but has won both times. His trainer is of the opinion that the horse is still learning the trade. This coupled with his good track work at Saratoga, gives him a shot. 6-1. Other outside chances appear to be the better drawn Oh Canada (3) and PenderHarbour (5). Oh canada tends to drift back, so he too is going to have to weave a path through the field. Can he go with Check Your Soul? Heâs 10-1 shot. The latter is a brash youngster who has to step from the six furlong trip to a mile and a quarter, so even at 12-1 he still doesnât look real value. The only other reasonably priced runner is the colt Queensplatekitten drawn 14 and a 12-1 shot. Trained By Todd Pletcher and ridden by ace jockey John Velazquez, he was bought with this race in mind. Winner of an Open race, so a drop back to his own age group is in his favour. He gets back though. The Queenâs Plate looks a grueling race this year, but for mine, it seems a race in two. A clash between what appears to be the best colt and the class filly. Inglorious should be better placed in transit, so despite being the fairer sex, she just gets the nod from me. Inglorious. Check Your Soul. Oh Canada.
Excellent write up Cyc, The weather could be the winner. Calling for showers with chances of thunder storms.( remember Montreal and the Gp ). I agree with your picks .Check your Soul is the strongest finisher, but with the size of the field could be a problem getting to the line.Inglorious may have a bit more in the tank this time if the race is not to hot. I'm in two minds about Oh Canada but it will surely get a lot of backing,since its Canada Day next Friday. I'm going to have a good look at the card this evening and see if there are some horse or horses that have gone under the radar, and let you know.
The Queens Plate for three year olds foaled in Canada, $1m up for grabs. Listed below are the horses and their best Beyer figure (north American rating system). 1) Imhotep... Maiden was a last minute entry, but has the breeding and seemingly some ability,didn,t have the cleanest of runs in the plate trial, but still in deep with others. BBF 81 2) Curgone... Blinkers will be off this son of a plate winner.Trainer has stated that this fellow will be forwardly placed early in the race (not much early pace in this) got big time jockey up top. BBF 70 3) Oh Canada... Lots of reasons people will be flocking to this gelding off the detailed training of Tiller. His stride, size and pedigree are good if he handles the the 10f he can be a top 3 contender. BBF 83 4) One Big Gator...Took a few runs to get his maiden, has a good turn of foot around the bend, a bargain purchase, mid pack player.BBF73 5) Pendor Harbour... Been playing catch up all year after some physical injuries late last year, the payments were not kept up on him for the Plate so he has to be supplemented for $25,000. Distance is the problem ,outsider. BBF 80 6) Head Honcho... just won at 1 1/8 mile for trainer who has been second in this race twice, no trouble at the distance but a BBF of 70 is the draw back , mid pack at best. BBF 70 7) Strike Oil... he's a late running type who won Canada's biggest race for 2yr olds, his a real in and outer and trainer has said that he is unsure what will happen with him, veteran jockey from the states brought up. BBF 79 8) Okiyama... Lightly raced this year with just one big win against Ontario sired runners. wants the lead but won't get it with Curgone and Oh Canada. Longshot .BBF67 9) Inglorious...This is a popular pick and has come out of traffic to win both local outings.Had a booming workout time since with the leading rider and a red hot combo of trainer and owner, Donver and Carrol.Very dangerous. BBF 83 10) Enduring Star.. A little guy and cost next to nothing at auction but is a good one, Distance is the big problem,BBF 81 11) Ojibway Signal... A leggy type and seems to be coming around to form, bad news though, has lost to Head Honco and Hippo and those are long shots. BBF 65 12) Seawatch... Looks to be a new horse this year, Supplemented for $25,000 by INGLORIUOS owners, place a possibility. BBF 78 13) Check Your Soul... He won the plate trial, had an even final work out in company, he is trained by the master of the Plate Atfield who's going for his 9th Plate win. Best chance, BBF 89 14) Queens Plate Kitten... Main threat to Check your Soul, and what a name, seems to like the distance, While the latest Plate champ Da Silva is not riding, maybe Velasques can time it right,strong factor. BBF84 15) Hippolytus... Will wear blinkers for the first time since last year, could it inject some speed that has been lacking, did okay in the trial, but not a match to the top three ,will be tough.BBF 74 16) Bowmans Causeway... Big horse,has the jockey aboard who has won the last two plates,barn has had a tough time since shipping horses to Woodbine.Bowmans Causeway bounced back big time in the trial after a disaster in the Florida derby.Very good chance. BBF 85 17) Maple Leaf Kitten.. another one with one of those names, came from way behind in a hot pace to win last time, and then the owners put up the $ 25.000 to run him in this, has had a different rider every race, mid pack..BBF 73 I feel that its going to be all about 5 horses, and they are the 13,14,9,16 and 1 .All i have to do is figure out how i'm going to use them in my bets. I limit myself to a set figure and work my bets around that. Iwill let you know when i have decided. Cyc i will put a $2 trifector on your picks.
Cyc one of your long distance chase races today. Britannia English Summer National (listed handicap race ) 3m 4f 18 runners. Uttoxeter 16.40.
Cyc i'm going to put your picks in a bet as follows. $2 exactor box 9,13,3. stake $ 12.0 $2 triactor 9.13.3 stake $2.00 Mine bet 1) $2 exacter box 13.9.14 stake $12.00 bet 2) $2 triactor 13.9.14 $2.00 bet 3) $ exactor box 1,10 $4.00 total staked $32
Islander. The 16:20 at Uttoxeter is one hell of a race mate. It's a race that's a bit too hot for me though. I prefer those races filled with very slow conveyances. These are not too far off the mark, but they still are a bit better than the average. So after a real struggle, I settled on a rider and trainer, AP and Jonjo. Sea Wall is hardly anything to write home about, but it looks as though he may have need his two runs this time in. 12-1 each way looks good. Sea Wall. PS. You're a brave man punting on my selections.
What a wonderful win by a very good filly. I can't believe she paid $11, $6.40 and $4.70. Sensational value. We should all give UK racing the shove and concentrate on the Canadian scene.
