The Plate Trial and Woodbine Oaks have been settled, and those two Canadian-bred three-year-old races essentially finalized the field for the 166th King’s Plate on August 16.
While one of the top Plate contenders, Tom’s Magic, was waiting in the wings at Fair Hill in Maryland, the Trial and Oaks sifted out a few likely entrants for the 1 1/4 mile Plate.
SEDBURYS GHOST is the most notable of new additions to the chart as he won the Trial with flair and with an 85 Beyer Speed Figure, close to par for the Trial in the last 20 years. The chestnut gelding by Plate winner Shaman Ghost had a good trip in the Trial, only his fifth career start, as he was perfectly placed in the middle of the field behind a contested pace and ahead of the closers. Under Ryan Munger, Sedburys Ghost, owned and bred by Yawen Wu of Port Perry, drew off smartly for his second career win.
The gelding won second time out last year as a juvenile in June, but then was not seen for a year. He won his six-furlong return dash, finished a troubled fourth in the Marine Stakes, and then peaked in the Trial.
NOTORIOUS GANGSTER, however, did nothing wrong to affect his #1 placing on Canadian Thoroughbred‘s list. The Coronation Futurity winner (and of course there is that long history of no Coronation/Plate winners) was delayed in the Trial, shuffled back and then having a rough journey until he managed to follow Sedburys Ghost to the wire. Owned and bred by Mark Dodson, Notorious Gangster is trained by three-time Plate winner Josie Carroll. Fraser Aebly rode in the Trial.
SCORCHING had another super effort in his second outing since last fall. At one time confined to his stall for a month, Scorching was second to Mansetti in the Marine Stakes (G3) and then had John Velasquez on board for the nine furlong Trial. The smooth-striding son of Mo Town, trained by John Charalambous, was eager to go to the lead and at first he was chasing front-runner Unbridled Weather, but down the backside he was between two other pace runners. To his credit, Scorching scrapped his way to the lead in early stretch, but he could not hold off the Ghost and the Gangster.
Only the top three from the Trial figure to be Plate entrants. Much was made about starters such as Dewolf during the Trial, but the colt had his ears flat back and was under pressure throughout, finally looking like shorter distances will be better for him.
In the Oaks, NO TIME‘s 88 Beyer Figure and her style of winning near a much faster pace than that of the Trial puts her squarely in the picture. Fillies who run big in the Oaks do well in the Plate. And Gary barber and Mark Casse do well in the Plate.
Shifty ran well in the Oaks, but might not handle 1 1/4 miles, but she deserves a chance in what should not be a large field. Much was made about the stablemate War Signal by some race selectors, but she was one of several ‘need to lead’ runners in the field and she faded.
That leaves TOM’S MAGIC, Marine Stakes winner MANSETTI, stakes-placed ASHLEY’S ARCHER, winners MONTERREY BAY, FABER, RUNAWAY AGAIN, WILLIAM T and perhaps maiden GLOBECREST to complete the Plate field.
That makes a 12-horse field for the Plate based on current form.
US trainers MIKE STIDHAM (Tom’s Magic) and WESLEY WARD have Plate starters. Tom’s Magic, bred by Sean and Dorothy Fitzhenry, will ship in to Woodbine a couple of days before the Plate. Ward owns and trains Monterrey Bay, who has been with trainer Richie Morden since before the gelding’s maiden win on the grass on July 6. Ward was at Woodbine on Monday to watch Monterrey Bay train.
Canadian Thoroughbred’s King’s Plate Contenders (top 10)
(last race Beyer)
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, O- Yawen Wu, also breeder. Tr – Barb Minshall.
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.
5. No Time (88) – filly for Gary Barber/Masse, a la Lexie Lou, Wonder Gadot. Big Oaks win.
6. Mansetti (79 in Marine) – Al and Bill Ulwelling, trainer Kevin Attard. Marine Stakes winner.
7. Ashley’s Archer (79 allowance) – Trained by Mark Casse, second in Tampa Bay allowance in ’25 debut, 79 Beyer when second in return race July 13 to US-bred.
8. William T (79) – big maiden puts him in the hunt for trainer Don MacRae.
9. Monterey Bay (80) – maiden win on turf at 7 furlongs was eye-catching. Trained by Wesley Ward.
10. Shifty (f) (81 Oaks) – darted to the lead in the Oaks but could not stay
11. Faber (74) – closing 4th in allowance behind Ashley’s Archer.
12. Runaway Again (83) – maiden winner for Stronach Stables.
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