It is still four months to the QUEEN’S PLATE but time to check in with some of the leading contenders. The early favourite for the Plate, Muskoka Gold has been idle for a month after early workouts so HALO AGAIN, the Coronation Futurity winner, is one of the top contenders.
On Feb. 15, two Canadian-breds won their maidens in the U.S. including speedy SYCAMORE RUN, who actually won his debut in December at Fair Grounds with flair but then lost that win when trainer Joe Sharp had multiple positive tests. The colt ran back in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes and was unplaced but won his maiden on Feb. 15 at Oaklawn Park at 6 furlongs with a 76 Beyer Speed Figure. Street Sense colt owned by Scott and Evan Dilworth.
From a long-distance perspective, the Josie Carroll trainee AUBURN HILLS, a son of Palace Malice, looks a bit more Plate-likely. He won his maiden at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Fair Grounds Feb 15 with a 75 Beyer Figure. He is owned by Americans LNJ Foxwoods, Grandview and Cheyenne Stables.
Meanwhile, the early Plate favourite could have been, and may still be, MUSKOKA GOLD, the possible Champion 2-Year-Old Colt from 2019, but the Cup & Saucer Stakes winner has been idle since a workout on Jan., 14 at the Casse Training Centre.
Plate hopefuls who are back on the worktab include EDGE OF FIRE, the debut winner for Chiefswood Stable by Curlin. The Jimmy Jerkens trainee won a sprint with a 67 Beyer Figure with ease and he worked Feb. 15 (Saturday) at Palm Meadows in 51 for 4 furlongs.
Undefeated CORSI (Honor Code) worked Friday at Palm Meadows in 38.40 in his first prep back for trainer Josie Carroll and MALIBU MAMBO, second in the Coronation Futurity had a quick 3 furlong move on Feb 9 in 36.80.
HALO AGAIN, who could be considered the early Plate favourite based on his Coronation Futurity win, was 8th in the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds behind eventual Risen Star Stakes winner Mr. Monomoy. His latest workout was back on Feb. 2.
More Queen’s Plate hopefuls:
Famished – Saratoga maiden winner by Uncle Mo, 5th Feb. 1 in 12 mile Dania Beach on turf, 79 Beyer
Stormy Soul – 3 works at Palm Meadows, maiden winner Dec. 6 75 Beyer Figure
Palace Coup – maiden winner Fair Grounds Jan. 2 in 5th start, 64 Beyer, 3 recent workouts
Clayton – debut winner 88 Beyer Woodbine 5 fur.Dotted Line (Signature Red) Kingarvie Stakes, Frost King Stakes,
Elusive Knight – 2nd Display Stakes 82 Beyer
Tomcat Black – won maiden Tampa Bay Dec. 28 76 Beyer – no workouts
Keep on Truckin – Clarendon Stakes
Red Giveaway – undefeated in 2 starts at 2, Bull Page Stakes 84 for 6 furlong
On the filly front, the top 2 Ontario-based gals were Curlin’s Voyage, winner of the Ontario Lassie Stakes, placed first in Grade 3 Mazarine (top Beyer 83) and Merveilleux, 2nd Princess Elizabeth and Ont Lassie (83 in Lassie) while BC-bred Infinite Patience was unbeaten last year with a top beyer Figure of 79.
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