There are fewer than 100 days to the 164th King’s Plate on August 20, 2023 at Woodbine and Canada’s premier race for three-year-olds already has a fascinating group of horses showing promise throughout North America.
In the second installment of Canadian Thoroughbred‘s Top 15 contenders for the Plate, as well as the Woodbine Oaks for fillies, there has been plenty of movement on the charts.
American-owned and trained EQUIVOQUE (Good Magic) currently has a slight nod at the top of the list for the Plate based on his sensational debut outing at Keeneland and a recent second-place finish at Churchill Downs in his first route distance attempt. Trained by Todd Pletcher for China Horse Club, Equivoque, who was bred by Jay and Christine Hayden, is by the same sire as Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage.
Locally-based STANLEY HOUSE (Army Mule) is improving nicely for John and Diana Russell and trainer Mike DePaulo (currently under suspension) and substitute trainer Ross Armata, Jr. A maiden winner at Gulfstream Park with an 84 Beyer Speed Figure, the dark bay colt was second against older horses in his return on May 6, matching up the 84 Beyer.
KALIK (Collected) continues to improve for trainer Chad Brown. The Anderson Farms-bred colt won an allowance/optional claiming race on turf on May 7 at Belmont Park in 1:42 for 1 1/16 miles. He earned an 87 Beyer Figure.
Another son of Collected also bred by Anderson Farms, NORTHERN INVADER, earned a 90 Beyer Figure for his career debut on Kentucky Derby (G1) day at Churchill Downs. The flashy colt, trained by Cherie DeVaux, had to wait in the paddock as a thunderstorm blew in, and then he raced over a sloppy track. He moved wide to grab the lead in the stretch run but was caught by favoured Everso Mischievous.
Canada’s Champion 2-Year-Old Colt of 2022, PHILIP MY DEAR, is working right along for trainer Kevin Attard, as is stablemate VELOCITOR, winner of the Coronation Futurity.
CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED‘S TOP 15 KING’S PLATE HOPEFULS
1. Equivoque (Good Magic) – CHC Racing – Todd Pletcher
2. Stanley House (Army Mule) – J. & D. Russell – R Aramata, Jr/Mike DePaulo
3. Kalik (Collected) – Lapenta, eFive Racing, Madaket Chad Brown
4. Northern Invader (Collected) West Point Tbdrs, David Ingordo – Cherie DeVeaux
5. Philip My Dear (Silent Name (Jpn)) – Raroma Stable – Kevin Attard
6. Mission of Joy (filly) (Kitten’s Joy) – Ryzan Sun, Madaket Graham Motion
7. Velocitor (Mor Spirit) A., B. Ulwelling Kevin Attard
8. Twin City (Klimt) R. , R., and B. MClellan, S. Simon, Stuart Simon
9. Abadin (Speightstown) – Three Diamonds Farm, Main Line Racing – Todd Pletcher
10. Gold Magic (Good Magic) – Al and Bill Ulwelling – Kevin Attard
11. Jumpin Junie (filly) (Midnight Lute) – Sea Glass Stables – C. Clement
12. Moon Landing (Nyquist) R. LaPenta, eFive – Kevin Attard
13. Big Brass Bed (Filly) (Nyquist) Peter Brant – Chad Brown
14. Ancient Peace (War Front) (filly)- Boardshorts Stables – John Sadler
15. Mo Tourist (Tourist) Al and Bill Ulwelling – Kevin Attard
TOP 10 WOODBINE OAKS HOPEFULS
1. Mission of Joy
2. Jumpin Junie
3. Big Brass Bed
4. Ancient Peace
5. Tito’s Calling
6. Fashionably Fab
7. Botta Swing
8. Elysian Field
9. Souper Sinclair
10. Wickenheiser
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