The fascinators and flowers were out in full force for Canada's signature race, the Queen's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. On one of the country's biggest race days, 13 loaded into the starting gate, all prepared to take their place in the long history of the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. In the end, it was Safe Conduct, who benefitted from running just behind the early leader Take a Chance, who found a clear path to victory in the 162nd Queen's Plate.
In his first start in both Canada and on the Woodbine Tapeta, the Ontario-bred Safe Conduct broke from the rail post and got clear of the bunched field to sit a length behind Take a Chance with Haddassah third and Go Take Charge fourth and Riptide Rock last of all. The pace was a moderate one, with Take a Chance setting fractions of :24.01 for the first quarter, :48.37 for the half-mile, and 1:13.11 for six furlongs. Irad Ortiz, Jr., in town for a day's racing at Woodbine, kept Safe Conduct just off the leader throughout, moving to the lead as the field hit the top of the stretch.
With 13 horses, the stretch run quickly became a cavalry charge with several horses running into traffic issues trying to find a position to make their bid for the lead. Ortiz's move gave Safe Conduct the running room he sorked to put space between him and the field as they headed for the wire, leading by as much as a length down the stretch. David Moran moved Riptide Rock, who had been last until the top of the stretch, out into the center of the track, to find a lane for the gelding's closing kick. He quickly closed on Safe Conduct, but was unable to catch him, with the winner hitting the wire a head in front. H C Holiday was third and the filly Munnyfor Ro was fourth.
The final time for the mile and quarter Queen's Plate was 2:02.85.
Safe Conduct paid $8.00, $5.10, and $4.20. Riptide Rock paid $10.10 and $7.90. H C Holiday paid $15.40.
Bred in Ontario by Mitchell H. Kursner, Safe Conduct is a 3-year-old cold by Bodemeister out of the Congrats mare Duchess Dancer. Owned by WellSpring Stables, he is trained by Philip Serpe. Consigned by Cara Bloodstock, Safe Conduct was purchased by his owner at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $45,000. The Queen's Plate is the colt's third win in seven career starts.
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