“The fillies ran faster, they will do better in the Plate.”
“That colt has won three of four, and he is still learning.”
“Somebody crazy is going to win.”
Canadian Thoroughbred’s Top 12 Queen’s Plate Contenders
- Curlin’s Voyage – filly
- Clayton
- Merveilleux – filly
- Halo Again
- Dotted Line
- Afleet Katherine – filly
- Tecumseh’s War
- Mighty Heart
- Elusive Knight
- Olliemyboy
- Belichick
- Holyfield
It may be the year of the tragic COVID-19 pandemic but in horse racing circles, the arrival of the Kentucky Derby and then Canada’s version of same, the Queen’s Plate, allows for the best of racing discussions.
The Woodbine Oaks and Plate Trial, held Aug. 15 at Woodbine, the first day of 2020 that some racing media were allowed back on the grounds (read the review by Mr. Will Wong on returning to Woodbine) sorted out some of the Plate contenders. But as you can see by some of the quotations made by shrewd racing observers, there is quite a difference of opinion heading into the 161st running of the 1 1/4 mile Canadian classic.
The Trial, often a good gauge for the best boys heading to the race, was won by CLAYTON (Bodemister – Smarthalf by Smart Strike), a brilliant colt who was fast enough to win his debut at 5 furlongs and then won the 9 furlong Plate Trial with grit.
He posted an 89 Beyer Figure in his win (1:50.61) which was on par for the Trial.
The colt, a $16,000 weanling buy, didn’t pull away, however, as Halo Again, the Coronation Futurity winner, and Dotted Line, hung tough and either of those colts have every reason to go forward on Plate day also. Even Elusive Knight, who had no pace to run at, must be given another chance.
While the Plate Trial was slow early and moderate late, the Woodbine Oaks was sizzling fast early and moderate late.
CURLIN’S VOYAGE was spot on and received a super ride by Patrick Husbands to come from well back to win handily with a 93 Beyer Figure as her time of 1:50/03 was a bit faster.
The lean and shiny chestnut ran hard and fast and certainly looked like she could give the boys a tussle in the Plate – unless she regresses off that big effort.
The 2 gals behind her, AFLEET KATHERINE and MERVEILLEUX, galloped out strongly after the wire.
Afleet Katherine, who had won her two career starts, both this year and both turf sprints, took a wild amount of betting support and ran to it, stalking the hot pace all the way and staying around for second.
Merveilleux, confirmed for the Plate by owners Al and Bill Ulwelling, had blinkers on and a rabbit in the Oaks (Bayou Belle) was in the back with Curlin’s Voyage early in the race but didn’t have the turn of foot her speedier rival had. She was moving, though, but then got into a pinball session with 2 rivals in the stretch before shaking loose and closing.
With Rafael Hernandez, the meet’s leading rider, taking Clayton, Merveilleux will have a new rider for the Plate.
Watching the Trial and Oaks from the sidelines was trainer CATHERINE DAY PHILLIPS, who has a couple of 3-year-olds in her barn that figure to be in the Plate.
Certainly TECUMSEH’S WAR, owned by US based Ilium Stable, is a Plate contender since he had a big effort against older horses in his latest, putting up an 81 Beyer Figure. The son of Summer Front only recently joined Day Phillips’ barn and he appears to be going forward.
“I thought the top three boys [in the Plate Trial] ran well but top three fillies probably ran better,” said Day Phillips. “It is hard to argue against Curlin’s Voyage and the 2nd and 3rd place fillies had a huge gallop out.”
“Tecumseh is doing well and I think he fits with the colts., we’re heading straight to the Plate with him.”
Day Phillips also trains a promising maiden in Holyfield who will head for a maiden race next.
Kevin Attard and his uncle Sid seek their first Plate (Sid trains Dotted Line, Olliemyboy and Elusive Knight). Kevin has Clayton, Merveilleux and Afleet Katherine while Josie Carroll could also send Mighty Heart to the Plate.
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