With just nine days until the 167th King’s Plate, the probable field for the $1 million Canadian classic is just about set. The post position draw is on Tuesday morning (August 11) and it appears 12 horses, including two fillies will be entered.
One of the fillies, LUSTER (Knicks Go) was so impressive in her Woodbine Oaks romp that she is expected to be a strong favourite in the 1 1/4 mile Plate. The grey gal, trained by Josie Carroll, continues to impress in workouts since her Oaks win. On August 1 she was clocked in 58 4/5 for five furlongs and out in 1:10 and change, working with the maiden Mousseline.
No official word has come out that Luster will be running in the Plate but it seems likely she will.
After Luster, there are a number of contenders, most notably the 1-2 finishers in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes on June 27.
BRACHETTO (Vekoma), seeking to become the first Manitoba bred to win the Plate, and MAGICAL FACTOR (The Factor), will be fresh and ready for their Plate assignment. Braccheto is a homebred for Brandon residents Ross and Brenda McKague, who are 52 years into racing and breeding Thoroughbreds. Braccheto’s Marine win was the McKague’s first stakes win at Woodbine and first graded stakes win.
The Plate Trial, run at 1 1/8 miles, was considerably slower than Luster’s Oaks win but it was the second straight stakes score for HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON (Ransom the Moon) who recently breezed half a mile in a sizzling 45 3/5. Highwaytothemoon is owned by Dominic DiLalla’s Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc. and trained by Dale Desruisseaux.
Desruisseaux, who has had numerous stories written about him already this year, is also expected to enter Garland Williamson’s filly DIXIE LAW (Tiz the Law) in the Plate. Dixie Law was second to Luster in the Oaks.
Plate Trial runners also expected to run in the Plate include IMYOURMEDICINEMAN (Shaman Ghost), MILITARY TIME (Gun Runner), DON IQUE (Astern (Ire) and BAAEED ALYNNA (Good Magic), the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th place finishers in the Trial.
Debut winner BOND MARKET (Bond Street) is a likely entrant as in Stronach Stables’ maiden VERY SPECIAL (Ghostzapper), who was a vet scratch at the gate recently.
FIRE AND WINE (Lexitonian), winner of the Coronation Futurity Stakes last year, is reported to be under consideration although he has been beaten more than 47 lengths in three races this season.
PROBABLE KING’S PLATE FIELD (best Beyer Speed Figure)
Magical Factor – 2nd Marine Stakes 90
Luster – romped in Woodbine Oaks 97
Brachetto – won Marine Stakes 82
Highwaytothemoon – won Plate Trial 85
Military Time 3rd Plate Trial 82
Dixie Law 2nd Oaks 88
Don Ique 74
Imyourmedicineman 84
Bond Market 71
Baaeed Alynna 72
Very Special 73
Fire and Wine 86 (last year)
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