Jockey didn't realize how big the Plate was when he won it as a visitor in 2015; now firmly based in Canada, he really wants to win it.
Moira
The finishing touches were put on the Queen's Plate probables as they prepare for the August 21 classic worth $1 million.
Adena Springs' stallions Awesome Again, Ghostzapper, Sligo Bay, Hunters Bay and Shaman Ghost have a hold on this year's Plate.
Canadian Thoroughbred has a list of 11 possible entrants for the Queen's Plate, Aug 21, including Duke of Love who has many Canadian owners.
Moira wows in the Woodbine Oaks while Rondure waits in the wings. Those are the top two 3-year-olds for the 163rd Queen's Plate.
Despite having to race without hind shoes, Moira was a dominating winner, the biggest winner for Canadian Donato Lanni and his X-Men Stable.
Moira and The Minkster headline the Woodbine Oaks and Plate Trial Stakes respectively on a big Sunday card at Woodbine.
Trainer Kevin Attard aims for his second straight Oaks with the filly owned by X-Men, Madaket and SF Bloodstock.
Fields of seven to nine look likely for the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks and $125,000 Plate Trial this Sunday, July 24.
There was plenty of movement with hopefuls for the Plate and Oaks in the past week and Oaks fave Interstatedaydream is entered elsewhere.
Sprinting for the first time, Moira took the Fury Stakes over the promising Pioneer's Edge as the road to the Oaks begins.
Eight hopefuls will meet on Saturday in this key prep for the July 24th $500,000 feature at Woodbine Racetrack.
Josie Carroll and Kevin Attard, both finalists for Outstanding Trainer in Canada at the April 14 Sovereign Awards, are pumped for new season.
The major 2-year-old stakes races at Woodbine on Nov. 28 could determine Sovereign Award candidates for both filly and colt divisions.
Trained by Kevin Attard, the Adena Springs-bred filly provided new ownership group X-Men Racing with its second winner, first stakes winner.
