From a betting standpoint, the $200,000 PLATE TRIAL STAKES is a fascinating study as there are 12 three-year-old Canadian-bred colts and geldings entered in the 1 1/8 mile race on Tapeta. The July 19th race, the 9th on a big 14-race card at Woodbine that includes the 71st WOODBINE OAKS, is essentially a chance for owners of a Canadian-bred sophomore to try a ‘hail Mary’; one more chance to earn a spot in the 167th King’s Plate, the most prestigious race in Canada.
Actually, they don’t have to ‘earn’ a spot in the Plate; anyone can enter if you are eligible or pay a supplemental fee. The 12 in the Trial are all considered secondary Plate hopefuls behind the two main players so far, MAGICAL FACTOR and BRACHETTO, the 2-1 finishers in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes.
Those two will rest in their stalls while their owners Chiefswood Stable and Ross and Brenda McKague watch the Trial (and Oaks) with great interest.
Four of the 12 horses entered in the Trial have posted a Beyer Figure of 80 or better.
The last six Trial winners averaged an 83 Beyer Figure in their win. Last year’s Plate winner Mansetti posted a 79 when he won the Marine Stakes, his final Plate prep.
You can’t blame folks for taking a shot in the Trial to see if their horse is improving, since the Plate is worth $1 million. The theme of the Trial will be pace, as some very fast guys who have excelled in sprints will be tackling the longer distance. Only five of the 12 have won around two turns (Tapeta or turf).
Gary Barber and St Elias Stables”s MILITARY TIME (Gun Runner) is the probable favourite for the Trial. Fraser Aebly rides this chestnut colt from post 4 and they won a 7 furlong allowance/optional on May 2 with an 81 Beyer and were second to speedy Highwaytothemoon in the Queenston, getting an 82 Beyer. A $350,000 yearling, Military Time’s co owner Vinny Viola won the Kentucky Derby with Golden Tempo.
POWELL RIVER, by American Triple Crown winner Justif, won his maiden going fast on the pace at 1 1/16 miles for Chiefswood and trainer Katerina Vassilieva. Ryan Munger will have to find a way to ration this colt’s energy. His top Beyer is a 76.
CASSON, like Military Time, is trained by Mark Casse, and this grey colt led for half the Marine Stakes before fading to third. He earned an 81 Beyer when he won the 7 furlong King Corrie Stakes and an 83 in the Plate Trial. Sahin Civaci rides.
HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON is a surprise entrant since trainer Dale Desruisseaux said he didn’t think his speedy Ransom the Moon gelding was a route horse. The horse won the Queenston on the pace with an 85 Beyer Figure.
Desruisseaux is the breeder of TWENTY TWO SOLES, a Kevin Attard trainee by Upstart, who has two wins at 7 furlongs.
The Stronach Stables maiden VERY SPECIAL, also trained by Attard, will have blinkers on after a rough trip when third just 15 days ago in a maiden race.
The Coronation Futurity winner FIRE AND WINE has been beaten some 37 lengths in his two races this season.
John Velazquez, who is in town to ride LUSTER in the Oaks, picks up the mount on DON IQUE for noted horse trainer from the south, Michael Cooke. Don Ique, by Astern (Aus), is trained by Josie Carroll and he earned a 72 Beyer Figure when he won at 1 1/16 miles on May 24.
Four times this century a Plate Trial winner has gone on to win the Plate.
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