Within the last week, a number of the King’s Plate probable starters had workouts over the Woodbine Tapeta while the two expected ship-ins, TOM’S MAGIC and MYTHICAL MAN, worked at their bases of Delaware and Saratoga.
MANSETTI, one of two entrants for the 166th Plate for Al and Bill Ulwelling, continues to impress with his power moves for trainer KEVIN ATTARD. Of course, Attard has won Plates with Moira and Caitlinhergrtness recently and with Mansetti, he is trying a bit of a different approach. The son of Collected won the Grade 3 Marine Stakes over Scorching and Megalodon and he has been working into the Plate since that June 28 race.
The Ulwellings, who have yet to win a Plate, but have won two Prince of Wales’ Stakes, also have FABER in the field. The son of Improbable worked on July 31 in 59 2/5, beating a workmate.
Plate Trial Stakes winner SEDBURYS GHOST was back on the worktab for the sizzling hot Barbara Minshall barn. On Saturday he breezed four furlongs in 49 4/5. Minshall and owner Yawen Yu are both seeking their first Plate win.
Woodbine Oaks winner NO TIME, whose sire Not This Time has been a hot item at the Saratoga yearling sale, was also prepping on Saturday; she went four furlongs in 48 1/5 with the maiden Globecrest.
Wesley Ward’s MONTEREY BAY worked with Pietro Moran on board on Sunday. The Good Magic gelding went 6 furlongs in 1:16 1/5 under the guidance of Woodbine trainer Richard Morden.
NOTORIOUS GANGSTER, who could vie for favouritism with TOM’S MAGIC, worked four furlongs in 47 3/5 for trainer Josie Carroll. The Classic Empire colt, owned and bred by Mark Dodson, has been steady and consistent all season.
Dean Reeves, owner of Mythical Man, confirmed that his Mucho Macho Man gelding is headed to the Plate and he awaits a decision on a rider. Bred by Adena Springs, Mythical Man won two turf races in October and December at Aqueduct and Gulfstream, respectively. He came off a layoff on July 4 and finished seventh in the Grade 3 Manila Stakes.
Tom’s Magic, a shiny chestnut colt by Justify and a half-brother to Woodbine Oaks winner Dixie Moon, is expected to arrive the day before the Plate for trainer Michael Stidham. A two-time stakes winner on the grass, Tom’s Magic is owned by CJ Thoroughbreds and Mo Speed Racing. Rafael Hernandez will ride.
WILLIAM T, a grey colt trained by Don MacRae for owner Michael Lay, had a speedy 47 3/5 workout for four furlongs on July 31.
Ashley’s Archer, Watsonville Red, Scorching, Runaway Again and Dewolf are also on the expected starter list for the Plate.
166TH KING’S PLATE, AUGUST 16
Canadian Thoroughbred Contenders Top 12
Horse, top Beyer, notes, jockey
1. Notorious Gangster (83) – Trained by Josie Carroll, won Coronation Futurity, fast-closing second in Woodstock, won Queenston, troubled 2nd in Trial – Fraser Aebly.
2. Tom’s Magic (83) – Won Tale of the Cat Stakes, 83 Beyer on June 28, Trained by Mike Stidham, won Fair Grounds stakes race – Rafael Hernandez.
3. Sedburys Ghost (85) – Won Plate Trial, 1st stakes win, Owner – Yawen Wu, also breeder. Trainer – Barb Minshall – Ryan Munger
4. Scorching (81) – Solid second off 8-month layoff in Marine Stakes; 3rd in Trial after getting into pace battle; Trained by John Charalambous, won Cup and Saucer in 2024 – Jose Lezcano
6. Mansetti (79 in Marine, 86 in seven furlong Queenston) – Al and Bill Ulwelling, trainer Kevin Attard. Marine Stakes winner – Pietro Moran
7. Ashley’s Archer (80) – Trained by Mark Casse, second in Tampa Bay allowance in ’25 debut, 79 Beyer when second in return race July 13 to US-bred – Sahin Civaci
8. William T (79) – big maiden win puts him in the hunt for trainer Don MacRae – David Moran
9. Monterey Bay (80) – maiden win on turf at 7 furlongs was eye-catching. Trained by Wesley Ward.
10. Faber (74) – closing 4th in allowance behind Ashley’s Archer – Florent Geroux to ride.
11. Runaway Again (83) – maiden winner for Stronach Stables, must be supplemented for $25,000 – J Castellano
12. Watsonville Red (75) – fourth Plate Trial.
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