Probable King’s Plate favourite NOTORIOUS GANGSTER, owned and bred by Mark Dodson and trained by Hall of Famer JOSIE CARROLL, was out for a workout on Thursday morning, July 31. The son of American champion Classic Empire breezed a quick half a mile in :47.60, the fifth-fastest time of 25 who worked at that distance on the Tapeta.
Notorious Gangster has run well in every race on Tapeta and recently was a troubled second in the Plate Trial which was won by SEDBURYS GHOST. Fraser Aebly, who has not been riding at Woodbine for long, has the mount. Carroll has won Plates with Edenwold, Inglorious and Mighty Heart.
Woodbine issued its probable field for the Plate on Thursday and had the 12 listed by Canadian Thoroughbred, plus two add-ons, DEWOLF and MYTHICAL MAN. It also updated the jockey assignments, and a notable rider signed on for the Plate is the current money-winning rider, FLAVIAN PRAT, who will ride Dewolf.
Owned by X-Men Racing IV and Canuck Racing Club, Dewolf was a stakes winner at seven furlongs on turf last year, second in the Grade 3 Grey Stakes and second in the Coronation Futurity to Notorious Gangster. This year, he was third in the Queenston and a fading sixth in the Plate Trial.
Mythical Man, who does not have a rider named, was seventh in his 2025 opener, the Grade 3 Manila Stakes on turf at Saratoga.
New York rider JOSE LEZCANO has been named on SCORCHING, trained by John Charalambous for US owners Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch. Scorching was caught late in the Plate Trial and landed third.
The talented US-based colt TOM’S MAGIC, who has yet to race on Tapeta or in Canada, is prepping at Delaware for trainer Michael Stidham. Rafael Hernandez will ride the chestnut son of Triple Crown winner Justify. His half-sister Dixie Moon won the Woodbine Oaks.
Also working on July 31:
WILLIAM T, owned by Woodbine Entertainment board member Michael Lay and trained by Don MacRae. worked four furlongs on the Tapeta in the identical time as the Gangster, :47.60. The son of Frosted comes off a six-length maiden win.
FABER, one of two contenders in the field for Al and Bill Ulwelling, worked five furlongs in :59.40 on Thursday. The Ulwelling’s top contender is MANSETTI, winner of the Grade 3 Marine Stakes. Trainer Kevin Attard, a two-time Plate winner, has been working the son of Collected six furlongs in July. He has had three such workouts and Pietro Moran is his rider.
CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED‘S TOP 12 CONTENDERS
166TH KING’S PLATE, AUGUST 16
1. Notorious Gangster (83) – Trained by Josie Carroll, won Coronation Futurity, fast-closing second in Woodstock, won Queenston, troubled 2nd in Trial – Fraser Aebly.
2. Tom’s Magic (83) – Won Tale of the Cat Stakes, 83 Beyer on June 28, Trained by Mike Stidham, won Fair Grounds stakes race – Rafael Hernandez.
3. Sedburys Ghost (85) – Won Plate Trial, 1st stakes win, Owner – Yawen Wu, also breeder. Trainer – Barb Minshall – Ryan Munger
4. Scorching (81) – Solid second off 8-month layoff in Marine Stakes; 3rd in Trial after getting into pace battle; Trained by John Charalambous, won Cup and Saucer in 2024 – Jose Lezcano
5. No Time (88) – filly for Gary Barber/Casse, a la Lexie Lou, Wonder Gadot. Big Oaks win – John Velasquez
6. Mansetti (79 in Marine, 86 in seven furlong Queenston) – Al and Bill Ulwelling, trainer Kevin Attard. Marine Stakes winner – Pietro Moran
7. Ashley’s Archer (80) – Trained by Mark Casse, second in Tampa Bay allowance in ’25 debut, 79 Beyer when second in return race July 13 to US-bred – Sahin Civaci
8. William T (79) – big maiden win puts him in the hunt for trainer Don MacRae – David Moran
9. Monterey Bay (80) – maiden win on turf at 7 furlongs was eye-catching. Trained by Wesley Ward.
10. Faber (74) – closing 4th in allowance behind Ashley’s Archer – Florent Geroux to ride.
11. Runaway Again (83) – maiden winner for Stronach Stables, must be supplemented for $25,000 – J Castellano
12. Watsonville Red (75) – fourth Plate Trial.
Other probable starters, Dewolf (78), Mythical Man (68)
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