Toronto, ON – Undefeated three-year-old Hollinger was today installed the early 5-2 favourite for the 151st edition of the Queen’s Plate.

Last year, Sam-Son Farm’s Eye of the Leopard rallied in deep stretch to defeat Mr. Foricos Two U and Milwaukee Appeal to take the winner’s share of the $1 million purse. The son of A.P. Indy was 40-1 in the Winterbook.

The current leader of this year’s crop, Hollinger improved his record to a perfect 4-for-4 in a thrilling renewal of the 1 1/8-mile Coronation Futurity, last October. On the strength of this victory and his flawless record, he went on to be voted Canada’s champion two-year-old male.

The gray gelding is trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, who is one tally from establishing a new record for Queen’s Plate victories by a trainer. With eight Plate scores on his resume, Attfield currently shares the record with Harold Giddings, Jr. Attfield said Hollinger is in training at Payson Park in Florida and is nearing his first workout of 2010.

Hollinger is owned by Bob Harvey and Al Wortzman, who also bred the son of Black Minnaloushe. Tyler Pizarro has piloted Hollinger in all four starts.

The Queen’s Plate is set for July 4 at Woodbine. The race will air on CBC in high definition.

The Winterbook’s second-choice is Sam-Son Farm homebred Hotep, who is a full-brother to last year’s Queen’s Plate hero Eye of the Leopard. The colt has stayed in serious training this winter and has competed at the Fair Grounds, where he was a 3 ¼-length allowance winner on February 1.

Rounding out the top-five list are Display Stakes runner-up Giant’s Tomb (5-1), who is also a Sam-Son homebred, multiple stakes-winner Ghost Fleet (6-1) and D’s Wando (8-1), who closed fast to finish third in the Coronation Futurity.

The 86th edition of the Winterbook, which was compiled by Adam Hickman of Woodbine’s Racing Communications department, offers early odds on all 100 three-year-olds, 96 colts and geldings, as well as four fillies, nominated to the 2009 Canadian Triple Crown.

Racing fans can also participate in the Plate chase by playing the 10th annual Queen’s Plate Fantasy Challenge at www.queensplate.com. The contest, which launches on March 22, is free, with prizes available to be won.

Top 10 Winterbook Favourites

Hollinger – 5-2

Hotep – 7-2

Giant’s Tomb – 5-1

Ghost Fleet – 6-1

D’s Wando – 8-1

Roan Inish – 10-1 (f)

Stormy Lord – 10-1

Resentless – 12-1 (f)

Mobil Unit – 12-1

Big Red Mike – 12-1

Queen’s Plate nominees (100)

Abogado – 75

Archon – 250

Arrow’s Conquest – 60

Artic Fern – 250

Atlantic Clipper – 300

Badinoff – 25

Barclay’s Park – 100

Beihai Park – 150

Big Red Mike – 12

Big Time – 40

Blind Bluff – 300

Boca Loca – 300

Bolt West – 250

Born to Act – 15

Bristol Indian – 75

Camiling – 300

Captain Canuck – 50

Carnduff – 75

Cashin Ona Dream – 75

Chief Tomahawk – 100

Cognashene – 20

Colorofspeed – 250

Copperelle – 200 (f)

Dark Cloud Dancer – 20

Deafening Silence – 200

Decadent – 250

Devilwood – 250

Disclosure – 75

Dixie Street – 100

Doctor Jack – 40

D’s Wando – 8

Dynamic Royal – 25

El Sombre – 125

Empire Rising – 40

Eurovalentino – 150

Everyone – 100

Final Clearance – 200

Flim Flam – 75

Forest Justice – 200

Forest Run – 50

Forever Awesome – 25

Freeport Bay – 75

Ghost Fleet – 6

Giant’s Tomb – 5

Gibson Land – 150

Gin Kings – 300

Gohomebay – 100

Grail Seeker – 100

Great Gulch – 250

Hameish – 150

Hanson Heights – 20

Hey Batter Batter – 125

Hollinger – 5-2

Hotep – 7-2

Indy League – 200

Kingspiel – 50

Le Mieux – 250

Macallan – 125

Madonnadellegrazie – 300

Major Bravo – 30

Mipote – 100

Mobil Unit – 12

Mobilizer – 60

Molinaro Padrino – 150

Molinaro Tempo – 250

Mr Fuller – 75

Niagara Express – 125 (f)

Oliver’s Soul – 300

Phantom Money – 200

Pinders Gap – 75

Playa Conchal – 300

Powermouse – 100

Race for Gold – 40

Raven Stone – 60

Red Strike – 100

Resentless – 12 (f)

Rhetoric – 60

Roan Inish – 10 (f)

Roman Games – 15

Saffron Hall – 60

Saratoga Thunder – 125

Scalding Rock – 150

Siber Stern – 30

Silent Running – 125

Skip to Heaven – 60

Sky of Grey – 50

Sleipnir – 100

Smart Stake – 50

Spirit Flying – 30

Stallone – 125

Stormonthemove – 200

Stormy Lord – 10

Tipperary Davor – 100

Vicar Street – 25

Where’s Ringo – 75

Who We Gunna Call – 50

Whos Big Daddy – 40

Widmo – 250

Woodland Flute – 150

Yo Tambien – 100

(f): denotes filly

*for horses already nominated, a sustaining payment of $1,500 must be made by May 1 to be kept eligible for the race

*for horses not currently nominated, a $5,000 late nomination payment can be made by May 1 to be eligible for the race

*for horses not nominated before May 1, a $25,000 ($15,000 + $10,000 entry fee) supplemental payment can be made at time of final entry to be eligible for the race

 

 

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