Woodbine Entertainment released the nominations for the 2023 OLG Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, consisting of The King’s Plate, Prince of Wales and Breeders’ Stakes.
A total of 124 three-year-old thoroughbreds, foaled in Canada, have been nominated to this year’s OLG Canadian Triple Crown. The number of nominees is up from 100 last year and is on par with 125 in 2021.
With the start of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown remaining in August for 2023, the closing date for nominations to this year’s Triple Crown was adjusted from the usual date of February 1 to April 5.
The 164th running of The King’s Plate, for a purse of $1 million, will launch the 2023 OLG Canadian Triple Crown on Sunday, August 20 at Woodbine Racetrack. The Prince of Wales, scheduled for Tuesday, September 12 at Fort Erie Race Track, and the Breeders’ Stakes, scheduled for Sunday, October 1 at Woodbine, complete the Triple Crown.
The OLG Canadian Triple Crown is uniquely contested over three different racing surfaces, Tapeta (The King’s Plate), dirt (Prince of Wales), and turf (Breeders’ Stakes).
The list of nominees includes star performers from last season, winners south of the border over the winter and many preparing for the upcoming Woodbine meet.
Canada’s Champion 2-year-old colt of 2022, PHILIP MY DEAR (Silent Name (Jpn)), trained by Kevin Attard for Raroma Stable, is among the most accomplished nominees, having won the Cup & Saucer Stakes as a juvenile. The colt was also third in the Coronation Futurity at 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta behind another Attard-trainee VELOCITOR (Mor Spirit), owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling.
Philip My Dear was working in Florida and had a workout at Woodbine on April 8. Velocitor recently worked April 23 at Woodbine.
Multiple stakes winner POULIN IN O T (Reload) has started working for trainer Steve Owens. Princess Elizabeth Stakes winning filly JUMPIN JUNIE, now trained by Christophe Clement following the retirement of Dan Vella, is working in Florida.
Impressive Keeneland debut winner EQUIVOQUE, trained by Todd Pletcher, had a recent workout at Churchill Downs as workmate for Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful TAPIT TRICE:
4F in :48.60
pic.twitter.com/6A8ZNqX7Kf— Kenny J. Frockett (@KennyFrockett) April 22, 2023
To view the full list of nominees to the 2023 OLG Canadian Triple Crown, click here.
The nominations for the 68th running of the Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, have also been released. A total of 63 three-year-old fillies, foaled in Canada, have been nominated to the prestigious event. Last year’s race saw eventual Canadian Horse of the Year Moira score the victory a month prior to winning The Queen’s Plate.
In addition to JUMPIN JUNIE, other notable fillies on the nomination list include multiple winner ANCIENT PEACE and stakes winners MISSION OF JOY and FASHIONABLY FAB.
This year’s Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, will be run on Sunday, July 23.
To view the list of nominees, click here.
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