Queen's Plate Update, Top 15 Contenders for May 18

The re-issue of the 2021 stakes schedule for the Woodbine 2021 season May 15 has horsepeople planning the races for their Canadian-bred 3-year-olds on their way to the Aug. 22 Queen’s Plate and the Aug. 1 Woodbine Oaks.

Woodbine Entertainment has tentatively pegged June 5 as opening day of the delayed season in the hopes that the ‘stay at home’ order will be lifted June 2 and racing will be permitted to begin.

The first major stakes race for Canadian bred 3-year-olds is the Queenston Stakes at seven furlongs and it is tabbed for Sunday, June 20 and could lure one of the top Plate contenders, GRETZKY THE GREAT, the Champion 2-year-old in Canada in 2020. The Nyquist colt has been working at Churchill Downs since early April.

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Canadian Thoroughbred’s top 15 list, led by Chiefswood Stables’ WEYBURN (pointing to the June 5 Belmont Stakes (G1) , has dropped one horse and added a new one for this edition.

Sam-Son Farms’ DANCE SOME MO, by Uncle Mo, won his maiden at 1 1/8 miles on grass May 13 at Churchill Downs with an 80 Beyer Figure, winning his half a length in 1:47 4/5 for trainer Graham Motion. The dark bay gelding was making his third career start.

Dropping off the list is another Uncle Mo sophomore for Sam-Son, TIO MAGICO, who faded in a turf race May 15 at Belmont and landed seventh in his third race of this year. Trainer Gail Cox has Plate hopeful TIDAL FORCES for Sam-Son.

On the Woodbine Oaks trail is Suncoast Stakes winner CURLIN’S CATCH, who has returned to Woodbine after her fifth place finish in the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland for trainer Mark Casse. DREAMING OF DREW, the Princess Elizabeth Stakes winner, was in training at Keeneland and her last workout was Apr. 23.

CANADIAN THOROUGHBRED’S TOP 15 – May 18, 2021

1. WEYBURN – April 29 workout, 6 fur. 1:13 4/5, 4th Wood Memorial, 85 Beyer, won Gotham, 95; Belmont Stakes next?

2. GRETZKY THE GREAT – 47 3/5 flat workout at Churchill Downs May 14 ; 5th Jeff Ruby Stakes (G3), 73 Beyer Speed Figure, Turfway Park, third in John Battaglia Stakes, Turfway Feb. 26, 83 Beyer Speed Figure

3. STEPHEN – training in Ontario

4. SAFE CONDUCT –won turf allowance May 2, 87 Beyer Figure, second in 2021 debut, 1 1/8 miles turf, 75 Beyer Figure.

5. HADDASSAH – training in Ontario

6. TIDAL FORCES – Sam-Son Farms’ homebred won his debut at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Gulfstream with a 70 Beyer Figure

7. DANCE SOME MO – Sam-Son Farms colt just won his maiden with an 80 Beyer Figure on the grass at Churchill Downs, 1 1/8 miles turf

8. RIPTIDE ROCK – 4th May 1, allowance Oaklawn, 78 Beyer, 5th as favourite Oaklawn allowance Mar. 5, 65 Beyer/ 2nd allowance Oaklawn Park, 80 Beyer Figure

9. MASTER SPY – 2nd workout, 35 for 3 furlongs Mar. 6 Casse Training Centre, 37 3/5

10. DREAMING OF DREW – Oaks, working at Keeneland

11. KEEP GRINDING – training in Ontario

12. HOMBRE – Closing fifth in a smart debut at Belmont.

13. TRUFFLE KING – training in Ontario

14. CRUDEN BAY – training in Ontario

15. RED RIVER REBEL – training in Ontario