One year after guiding the brilliant filly MOIRA (Ghostzapper) to victory in the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine, jockey RAFAEL HERNANDEZ will be attempting to match that with another filly, WICKENHEISER, his mount for the August 20 King’s Plate.
Oh, and Wickenheiser is trained by Moira’s trainer, Kevin Attard. And fillies have won 5 of the last 12 (!!) Plates.
The Plate was reverted back to the King’s Plate for this year since the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The race holds the name of the ruling monarch, which is now His Royal Highness King Charles III.
Less than two weeks remain before some of the leading three-year-olds in Canada head to the gate for the $1 million Plate at 1 1/4 miles on the Tapeta. It figures to be a full gate, too, as more than 17 horses are possible entrants.
The reason for the big field is that there is not a Moira-type standout this year, but instead half a dozen decent sophomores who could go on to big things.
Wickenheiser has the breeding and style to be a Plate winner and since the big race will be her third start off the layoff, she could have a peak effort. She was second against boys in an allowance/optional claiming race in her season debut and then a closing second in the Woodbine Oaks behind Elysian Field. Owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling and Clay Scherer, Wickenheiser is by Lemon Drop Kid from the mare Game (Fr) by Montjeu (Fr). Her half-brother Belichick won the 1 1/2 mile Breeders’ Stakes. Wickenheiser was bred by Sean Fitzhenry.
Kevin Attard could have as many as five starters in the Plate if ENJOYTHESILENT draws in to the field.
KAZUSHI KIMURA has been riding Wickenheiser but he gets the call on probable Plate favourite KALIK (Collected Coronation Street by Street Cry (Ire)) who will be coming to Woodbine for the first time from New York for trainer Chad Brown. Kalik is the most accomplished horse in the field since he is a Grade 2 winner (on turf) and he possesses a 90 Beyer Speed Figure from that victory. Owned by Robert Lapenta, eFive Racing and Madaket Stables (who also co-own Moira), Kalik was recently 8th in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby after he became rattled during the pre-race warm-up.
Kalik was bred by David Anderson and Peter Burglar in Ontario. The colt has never raced on an all-weather surface. but his profile is very similar to that of 2021 Plate winner SAFE CONDUCT, a speedy grass runner who came in from New York to win the Plate.
Meanwhile, the Oaks winner, ELYSIAN FIELD, had a sizzling workout on August 6 at Woodbine, going four furlongs in 46.60 for the Mark Casse team. The Hard Spun filly will have Sahin Civaci on board following her decisive Oaks score.
STANLEY HOUSE, who had a botched journey in the Plate Trial, had a smooth and steady workout on Sunday according to trainer Mike DePaulo. With former jockey Dino Luciani on board, Stanley House cruised five furlongs in 1:00.80. The dark bay colt is a son of Army Mule, a Kentucky stallion, and he is owned by John and Diana Russell of Toronto.
Two other American-based three-year-olds won’t be coming to the Plate. NORTHERN INVADER is headed to Colonial Downs for a grass stakes race while recent maiden winner ABADIN is going to pass up the Plate.
Currently on the ‘also eligible’ list for the Plate – ranked by earnings – is EL COHETE, on the fence for trainer Mike DePaulo, ENJOYTHESILENT, who would start for Kevin Attard if he drew in, TRINITY PARK and RUNAWAY CHARLIE.
Earnings of King’s Plate hopefuls – Trainer
Max. number for race – 17 (earnings used after 17)
1. Philip My Dear $411,330 – Kevin Attard
2. Elysian Field – filly $400,800 (must be supplemented) Mark Casse
3. Kaukokaipuu – $297,820 – Ted Holder
4. Twin City – $281,800 – Stuart Simon
5. Velocitor – $232,109 – Kevin Attard
6. Kalik – $228,425 – Chad Brown
7. Wickenheiser (filly) – $225,060 – Kevin Attard
8. Stayhonor Goodside – $193,015 – Mark Casse
9. Paramount Prince – $184,380 – Mark Casse
10. Cool Kiss – $159,000 Mike DePaulo
11. Stanley House – $156,440 – Mike DePaulo
. Sammy Stone – $149,258 (not expected to run)
12. Midnight in Malibu – $122,260 – Sid Attard
13. Silent Miracle – $113,457 – John Mattine
14. Twowaycrossing – $96,235 – Roger Attfield
15. Moon Landing – $81,818 – Kevin Attard
16. Abadin – $81,500
. Northern Invader – $79,500 (not expected to run)
16 – Morstachy’s – $73,804 – Renico Lafond
17. Touch’n Ride – $62,338 (must be supplemented) – Layne Giliforte
18. El Cohete – $59,101 – Mike Depaulo
19. Enjoythesilent – $58,843 – Kevin Attard
20. Trinity Park – $30,455 (must be supplemented) – Mike Dunslow
21. Runaway Charlie – $17,568 – Mike Doyle
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