Toronto, On – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Square Eddie was today installed as the early favourite for the 150th edition of the Queen’s Plate.

Last year, Not Bourbon staved off a determined deep-stretch bid from Woodbine Oaks winner Ginger Brew to win the $600,000 winner’s share of the Plate purse. The son of Not Impossible was 30-1 in the Winterbook. Two years ago, Mike Fox sprung a Plate upset for trainer Ian Black and late owner D. Morgan Firestone. He was listed at 20-1 in the winter.

Owned by Windsor, Ontario, native J. P. Reddam and trained by Doug O’Neill, Square Eddie was listed at 5-2 for the $1 million race, which is set for Sunday, June 21, at Woodbine. The race will air on CBC in High Definition.

Square Eddie earned the favourite’s role on the strength of a powerful victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland in his first North American try. Three weeks later, the Kinghaven Farms-bred son of Smart Strike finished second in the Breeders’ Cup, just 1 1/4 lengths behind Midshipman. Square Eddie kicked off his three-year-old campaign with a second-place finish to The Pamplemousse in the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita on January 17.

According to recent reports, Square Eddie is walking under saddle at Hollywood Park as he recovers from a microfracture in his cannon bone, which was discovered a few days after a February 2 workout.

The Winterbook’s second-choice is runaway Cup & Saucer hero Utterly Cool, who is owned by Mel Lawson. Listed at 6-1, the Sid Attard trainee has only ever competed on turf. The son of Smoke Glacken has won three of his four starts by a combined margin of 22 3/4 lengths.

Rounding out the top-five list are Coronation Futurity winner Active Duty (10-1), multiple stakes-placed El Brujo (12-1) and last year’s Canadian champion two-year-old filly Van Lear Rose (12-1), who was up in time to win last year’s Mazarine Stakes.

The Winterbook rankings were compiled by handicapper Jennifer Morrison for the 12th straight year. The 85th edition of the Winterbook offers early odds on all 123 three-year-olds, 112 colts and geldings, as well as 11 fillies, nominated to the 2009 Canadian Triple Crown.

Racing fans can also participate in the Plate chase by playing the ninth annual Queen’s Plate Fantasy Challenge at www.WoodbineEntertainment.com/fantasy. The contest, which launches on March 26, is free, with prizes available to be won.

Top 10 Winterbook Favourites

1) Square Eddie 5-2

2) Utterly Cool 6-1

3) Active Duty 10-1

4) El Brujo 12-1

5) Van Lear Rose (f) 12-1

6) Parabola 15-1

7) Keino West 15-1

8) Mean Green 20-1

9) Stardust Ziggy 20-1

10) Flip for the Coin 20-1

 

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