El Brujo Looks to Rebound After Plate Trial Debacle: It’s all systems go, literally and tactically, for Achievement and Queenston winner El Brujo for next Sunday’s $1 million Queen’s Plate.
Trainer Malcolm Pierce said the Windways Farm homebred is in good order following his ninth-place finish as the favourite in the Plate Trial Stakes, but the strategy will be different in the 1 1/4-mile classic, which is the first jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown of Racing.
“We’re going to let him run his race in the Plate, for sure,” said the Toronto-born conditioner. “I told Patrick (Husbands, jockey) in the paddock that today (Plate Trial day) was the day to take him back and teach him how to rate. Absolutely no pace developed. He can’t go slower than :49 3/5. That’s what we were trying to get him to do.”
The son of Candy Ride is scheduled to have his final workout on Sunday.
It’s A Livin’: For the vast majority of his 11-race career, Costalivin, a son of Tomahawk, has been ‘livin’ large, posting nine top-three finishes. Now the bay colt looks to come up with his biggest career effort in the biggest race of his life.
While a Queen’s Plate start is not etched in stone, trainer John Ross was pleased with the Jam Jar Racing Stable silk-bearer’s work on Friday morning.
“He’s learning more about the game and I’m learning more about him,” said Ross, of the Friday morning move, 1:12-flat, handily, over the Polytrack. “We’re teaching him to relax more in the morning and he is. He’s a laid-back guy. I’m more wound up than the horse.
“He galloped out 7/8ths in 1:28. It was pretty nice. (Jockey) Melanie Giddings was very happy with him and said he felt great. Melanie said that it went beautifully.”
A lifetime winner of two races, Costalivin finished seventh in the Plate Trial on May 31, after leading in the 1 1/8-mile key Plate prep.
“It’s called the ‘Trial’ because that’s just what it is, an opportunity to gauge your horse’s chances at contesting the Plate,” offered Ross. “It wasn’t a good line on things for me because we ended up being the rabbit in the race. I think I may have had him a little too sharp.”
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