SAFE CONDUCT, TIDAL FORCES, STEPHEN and HOMBRE are among the top contenders for the Queen’s Plate and remain eligible for the August 22 race at Woodbine. The final nomination payments were paid for the Plate and Oaks and there are 45 still eligible for the Plate and just 26 for the Oaks.
The Top 15 Plate contenders are located here.
SAFE CONDUCT is one of several promising Canadian-breds who are American owned, trained and/or raced. Bred by Mitchell Kursner of Toronto, Safe Conduct has won at 9 furlongs on grass this year and is being pointed to the Plate by trainer Phil Serpe.
Undefeated Sam-Son Farm homebred Tidal Forces recently stamped himself as a legitimate Plate contender following an impressive Tapeta triumph on June 19 over 1 1/16 miles. Known around the Gail Cox barn as ‘Brutus,’ the Malibu Moon-Ain’t No Tellin’ colt, who broke his maiden in April on the grass at Gulfstream Park, is now two-for-two. Sam-Son’s historic influence in the Queen’s Plate includes owning five past winners. Cox conditions another top contender for the connections in Tio Magico.
The team behind 2020 Queen’s Plate champion Mighty Heart, trainer Josie Carroll and owner/breeder Larry Cordes, could have a chance to repeat in the million-dollar Canadian classic with Trigger’s Bay. The Sligo Bay-Trigger Finger gelding earned his second straight win going seven furlongs on the Tapeta this past weekend. Carroll, a three-time Plate champion, also trains the first-out winner Maclean’s Posse and the unraced Desert Eagle.
Cudney Stables’ Hombre also notched his first career win over the weekend, drawing away from his rivals at the end of a 1 1/16-mile turf test at Belmont Park. Bred by Joey Gee Thoroughbreds, the Tourist-Classic Soul colt, whose half-sister Speedy Soul enjoyed success in the Triple Tiara, was a high-end $120,000 yearling purchase at the 2019 CTHS Canadian-Bred Sale.
Named Canada’s Champion Two-Year-Old Male last year, Gretzky the Great remains eligible for two-time Queen’s Plate winners Mark Casse and Gary Barber, who co-owns with Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. The Nyquist-Pearl Turn colt won three in a row at Woodbine last year including the Soaring Free Stakes and Grade 1 Summer Stakes, then went on to finish sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland. He opened his sophomore season with a pair of stakes starts at Tampa Bay, hitting the board last time out in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes to push his bankroll to nearly $370,000.
Another Casse-trained contender is Tracey Farmer’s Master Spy, a winner of nearly $280,000 in purses and two races including the Cup and Saucer Stakes last year on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course. He finished fifth when making his June 20 season debut in the Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine. Bred by Bernard and Karen McCormack, the Silent Name-Smart Catomine colt is half-brother to 2017 Prince of Wales champion Cool Catomine.
Kevin Attard conditions nine hopefuls including Al and Bill Ulwelling’s Stephen, who is well-suited for the mile and a quarter distance and would be seeking the elusive Coronation Futurity and Queen’s Plate double. The Ulwelling’s HADDASSAH may be the strong contender of the pair. Meanwhile, Attard’s teenage son, Joshua, is hoping for a family affair in this year’s Plate as owner of the nominated Tizway-Samsal colt Keep Grinding. Joshua’s grandfather, Tino, handles the training duties. Attard appears to have recently taken over the training of Frost King Stakes winner Red River Rebel.
Of the 26 Woodbine Oaks nominees, the top contenders appear to be speedy LORENA, Tampa Bay stakes winner CURLIN’S CATCH, US invader MUNNYFOR RO who has joined the Kevin Attard barn for Raroma Stable and THIRD DRAFT for Chiefswood Stable.
45 remaining Eligibles to August 22 Queen’s Plate
AVOMAN
dk b/.g.3 by Old Forester(Forestry) – Cosa Rara(Tethra)
D-Mac Racing Stable Inc. and La Huerta Inc. Donald C. MacRae
BELENTIME
b.c.3 by Not This Time(Giant’s Causeway) – Belen(Quiet American)
Track West Racing Inc. and Donald Whalen Daniel J. Vella
BODIE
b.c.3 by Bodemeister(Empire Maker) – Blues Legend(Mr. Greeley)
Santino DiPaola and York Tech Racing Stable Santino C. DiPaola
CANDY OVERLOAD
b.g.3 by Reload(Hard Spun) – Mini Candy(Candy Ride (ARG))
Denny Andrews, Northern Dawn Stables Inc. and Krista Cole-Simpson Krista Cole-Simpson
CLASSIFIED TROUBLE
b.g.3 by Palace Malice(Curlin) – Cumulonimble(Stormy Atlantic)
R. I. Clarkson Martin Drexler
CRUDEN BAY
b.g.3 by Big Screen(Speightstown) – Executive Affair(Bold Executive)
Michael Lay Donald C. MacRae
CURLIN’S CATCH
b.f.3 by Curlin(Smart Strike) – Catch the Thrill(A.P. Indy)
Breeze Easy, LLC Mark E. Casse
DANCE SOME MO
dk b/.g.3 by Uncle Mo(Indian Charlie) – Dance Again(Awesome Again)
Sam-Son Farm H. Graham Motion
DERZKII
dk b/.g.3 by Frac Daddy(Scat Daddy) – Lady Sarah(Whywhywhy)
Fieldstone Farms Inc. and Jecara Farms Corp. Carlos Grant
DESERT EAGLE
b.c.3 by Lemon Drop Kid(Kingmambo) – Oxbow Lake(Dynaformer)
Earle I. Mack LLC Josie Carroll
DUNSANDLE
b.g.3 by Gemologist(Tiznow) – Santin’s Anna(Concord Point)
Thomas B. Uniacke Ross Armata, Jr.
GIANT WATERS
dk b/.c.3 by Giant Gizmo(Giant’s Causeway) – Green Waters(Arch)
Track West Racing Inc. Daniel J. Vella
GO TAKE CHARGE
ch.g.3 by Will Take Charge(Unbridled’s Song) – Go Go Neigh(Storm Boot)
Hillsbrook Farms Breeda Hayes
GRETZKY THE GREAT
b.c.3 by Nyquist(Uncle Mo) – Pearl Turn(Bernardini)
Gary Barber and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners Mark E. Casse
H C HOLIDAY
dk b/.c.3 by Ami’s Holiday(Harlan’s Holiday) – Henry’s Collection(Henrythenavigator)
Ivan Dalos Kevin Attard
HADDASSAH
b.g.3 by Air Force Blue(War Front) – Lady Haddassah(Whywhywhy)
Al and Bill Ulwelling Kevin Attard
HARLAN ESTATE
dk b/.c.3 by Kantharos(Lion Heart) – Archerette(Arch)
ERJ Racing, LLC, Exline-Border Racing LLC, Madaket Stables LLC and Scherer, Clay Kevin Attard
HIGH HEAT
ch.c.3 by Signature Red(Bernstein) – Essence of Silver(Essence of Dubai)
Norseman Racing Stable Sid C. Attard
HOMBRE
dk b/.c.3 by Tourist(Tiznow) – Classic Soul(Perfect Soul (IRE))
Robert Cudney Barclay Tagg
HOUDINI’S AWESOME
b.c.3 by Tale of Ekati(Tale of the Cat) – Awesome Houdini(Awesome Again)
Charles E. Fipke Roger L. Attfield
KARAKONTIE PAT
ch.c.3 by Karakontie (JPN)(Bernstein) – Aunt Pat(Mr. Greeley)
Ivan Dalos Kevin Attard
KEEP GRINDING
dk b/.c.3 by Tizway(Tiznow) – Samsal(Consolidator)
Joshua J. Attard (Minor) Tino Attard
LENNY K
b.g.3 by Den’s Legacy(Medaglia d’Oro) – Circular Logic(Street Boss)
Al and Bill Ulwelling Kevin Attard
MACLEAN’S POSSE
b.c.3 by Maclean’s Music(Distorted Humor) – Beautiful Posse(Posse)
Ivan Dalos Josie Carroll
MARITIME MISSION
b.c.3 by Bodemeister(Empire Maker) – Maritime Passion(Stormy Atlantic)
Benjamin Hutzel Michael P. De Paulo
MASTER SPY
dk b/.c.3 by Silent Name (JPN)(Sunday Silence) – Smart Catomine(Smart Strike)
Tracy Farmer Mark E. Casse
MOONQUEST
dk b/.c.3 by Nyquist(Uncle Mo) – Moon Music(Malibu Moon)
D. J. Stable LLC Mark E. Casse
NONNO’S LITTLE BOY
ch.g.3 by Giant Gizmo(Giant’s Causeway) – Lemoncella Kid(Lemon Drop Kid)
Terra Racing Stable Kevin Attard
ONE FLINT
b.g.3 by Flintshire (GB)(Dansili (GB)) – One On Tap(Pleasant Tap)
Ron Gierkink John P. LeBlanc, Jr.
PALIO
dk b/.c.3 by Twirling Candy(Candy Ride (ARG)) – Cat’s Garden(Tale of the Cat)
DARRS, Inc. Michael Stidham
RACE FOR PINKS
b.g.3 by Stormy Atlantic(Storm Cat) – Fleet of Foot(Gone West)
Sam-Son Farm Stuart C. Simon
READY AT DAWN
dk b/.g.3 by More Than Ready(Southern Halo) – Coastal Dawn(Giant’s Causeway)
Sam-Son Farm Stuart C. Simon
RED RIVER REBEL
ch.g.3 by Reload(Hard Spun) – Spani Lou(Spaniard)
Denny Andrews and Northern Dawn Stables Inc. Kevin Attard
RIGHT TO STRIKE
dk b/.g.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Strike Right Now(Tiznow)
Sam-Son Farm Stuart C. Simon
RIPTIDE ROCK
ch.g.3 by Point of Entry(Dynaformer) – Irish Influence(Stephen Got Even)
Stronach Stables Sid C. Attard
SAFE CONDUCT
b.c.3 by Bodemeister(Empire Maker) – Duchess Dancer(Congrats)
WellSpring Stables Philip M. Serpe
STEPHEN
b.c.3 by Constitution(Tapit) – Naughty Holiday(Harlan’s Holiday)
Al and Bill Ulwelling Kevin Attard
TIDAL FORCES
dk b/.c.3 by Malibu Moon(A.P. Indy) – Ain’t No Tellin'(Dynaformer)
Sam-Son Farm Gail Cox
TIO MAGICO
dk b/.g.3 by Uncle Mo(Indian Charlie) – Magic Broomstick(More Than Ready)
Sam-Son Farm Gail Cox
TREBUCHET
b.c.3 by Reload(Hard Spun) – Tenjectory(Trajectory)
Northern Dawn Stables Inc. and Dave Padayachee Krista Cole-Simpson
TRIGGER’S BAY
b.g.3 by Sligo Bay (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Trigger Finger(U S Ranger)
Lawrence P. Cordes Josie Carroll
TRUFFLE KING
dk b/.c.3 by Giant Gizmo(Giant’s Causeway) – Trufflesfromheaven(You and I)
Derek A. Chin Kevin Attard
VIVID VIXEN
b.f.3 by Animal Kingdom(Leroidesanimaux (BRZ)) – Spun Lace(Hard Spun)
Nick Nosowenko Nicholas Nosowenko
WEYBURN
dk b/.c.3 by Pioneerof the Nile(Empire Maker) – Sunday Affair(A.P. Indy)
Chiefswood Stables Limited James A. Jerkens
WORKIN OUT
b.c.3 by Outwork(Uncle Mo) – Kincardine(Fusaichi Pegasus)
Chiefswood Todd Pletcher
26 Woodbine Oaks Nominees
BODACIOUS MISS
b.f.3 by Bodemeister(Empire Maker) – Mrs. Donaghy(Military)
Beverly Lewis-Owens & Steve Owens Steven Owens
CARELESS HEIRESS
ch.f.3 by Mineshaft(A.P. Indy) – Smart Timmie(Smart Strike)
Greenoaks Farm Racing Stable (Angus Buntain) Angus Buntain
CURLIN’S CATCH
b.f.3 by Curlin(Smart Strike) – Catch the Thrill(A.P. Indy)
Breeze Easy, LLC Mark E. Casse
DANCE WITH DESTINY
dk b/.f.3 by Flintshire (GB)(Dansili (GB)) – Bear’s Gem(Peaks and Valleys)
Di Scola Boys Stable Josie Carroll
DEJAS TOO
b.f.3 by Ami’s Holiday(Harlan’s Holiday) – Unforgettable Too(You and I)
Donver Stable and Josie Carroll Josie Carroll
EMMELINE
dk b/.f.3 by Violence(Medaglia d’Oro) – Babcock(Uncle Mo)
RCC Racing Stable Ltd. and Realm Racing Stables John Mattine
ERASMO’S GIRL
b.f.3 by English Channel(Smart Strike) – Russian Sweetiepie(Absent Russian)
JDLP Holdings Inc. Steven Chircop
FANCYSOUL
ch.f.3 by Giant Gizmo(Giant’s Causeway) – Fancy Ribbons(Perfect Soul (IRE))
Al and Bill Ulwelling Kevin Attard
HIT AND RUN
ch.f.3 by Signature Red(Bernstein) – Miss Hemingway(Circular Quay)
Norseman Racing Stable John Mattine
IL MALOCCHIO
b.f.3 by Souper Speedy(Indian Charlie) – Egbert Bay(Sligo Bay (IRE))
Franco Meli Martin Drexler
JILLI MARIE
b.f.3 by Dynamic Sky(Sky Mesa) – Jilli’s Cape(Cape Canaveral)
Kevin Drew Katerina Vassilieva
LADY MOONSHINE
dk b/.f.3 by Milwaukee Brew(Wild Again) – Lightning Lucy(Giant’s Causeway)
Bet Two Seven Stables Mark E. Casse
LORENA
dk b/.f.3 by Souper Speedy(Indian Charlie) – Negotiable(Hat Trick (JPN))
Brent McLellan, Russell McLellan, Gerardo Olguin and Stuart C. Simon Stuart C. Simon
MISS MARIE
ch.f.3 by Carpe Diem(Giant’s Causeway) – More to Like(More Than Ready)
Hillsbrook Farms Breeda Hayes
MOONLIT SILENCE
b.f.3 by Silent Name (JPN)(Sunday Silence) – Dance to the Moon(Perigee Moon)
C. Scott Abbott Racing Stable Ltd. Michael J. Doyle
MUNNYFOR RO
ch.f.3 by Munnings(Speightstown) – Repartee(Distorted Humor)
Raroma Stable Inc. Kevin Attard
OWEN’S TOUR GUIDE
dk b/.f.3 by Tourist(Tiznow) – My Christini(Flatter)
Tequesta Racing Inc. William V. Armata
RED EQUINOX
ch.f.3 by Signature Red(Bernstein) – Majestic Red(Rahy)
Norseman Racing Stable Jamie Attard
SECRETS TOLD
b.f.3 by Broken Vow(Unbridled) – Strike Red(Smart Strike)
Sam-Son Farm Gail Cox
SHE TAKES FLIGHT
b.f.3 by Bernardini(A.P. Indy) – Smartyfly(Smart Strike)
Sam-Son Farm Stuart C. Simon
SPIRIT DANCE
dk b/.f.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Dance With Doves(A.P. Indy)
Sam-Son Farm Gail Cox
SUNSPRITE
ch.f.3 by Reload(Hard Spun) – Philzana(Philanthropist)
Denny Andrews and Niall J. Brennan Kevin Attard
TAQUANYAH
b.f.3 by Silent Name (JPN)(Sunday Silence) – Pretty Bird(Lookin At Lucky)
Robyn Brohman Saul McHugh
THIRD DRAFT
gr/ro.f.3 by Curlin(Smart Strike) – Original Script(Malibu Moon)
Chiefswood Stables Limited Claude R. McGaughey III
VIVID VIXEN
b.f.3 by Animal Kingdom(Leroidesanimaux (BRZ)) – Spun Lace(Hard Spun)
Nick Nosowenko Nicholas Nosowenko
YOUENS (Supplement)
b.f.3 by American Pharoah(Pioneerof the Nile) – Swoop and Strike(Smart Strike)
Ten Strike Racing Angus Buntain
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