keep grinding | Horse Racing Free Tips

Woodbine Entertainment today released its latest edition of Power Rankings for the 162^nd running of the Queen's Plate.

The 162^nd Queen's Plate will take place on Sunday, Aug. 22 at Woodbine Racetrack. Canada's most famous horse race will launch the 2021 OLG Canadian Triple Crown, which includes the Prince of Wales on September 14 at Fort Erie and the Breeders' Stakes on October 3 at Woodbine.

The Power Rankings highlight the most talented 3-year-old Thoroughbreds eligible to enter for a spot in the $1 million race. Votes are cast by expert horseplayers and racing personalities from Woodbine and the Daily Racing Form: Jeff Bratt, Robert Geller, Ron Gierkink, Jason Portuondo, Monique Vág and Mark McKelvie. The rankings are based on votes following a points system (five points for a first-place vote, four points for second-place vote, etc.) for top five selections, and honourable mentions.

After receiving all first-place votes in Woodbine's first power rankings, Weyburn remains in top spot on the list, receiving five of the six first-place votes. The Jimmy Jerkens trainee ran last weekend in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga, finishing a disappointing fourth in a five-horse field. The Chiefswood Stables Limited homebred was making his first start since a runner-up effort in the TVG.com Pegasus Stakes on June 13 at Monmouth.

Weyburn now sports a career record of two wins, two seconds and $343,520 earned in seven career outings. The G1 Travers was on the radar for Weyburn, but his most recent outing does open the possibility of his connections changing paths and considering an appearance in the $1-million Queen's Plate.

Keep Grinding moves up from number three to two in the latest rankings. The Tino Attard trainee has not run since a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes on July 11. Keep Grinding most recently breezed six-furlongs in 1:15.60 over Woodbine's tapeta surface on August 1.

Woodbine Oaks winner Munnyfor Ro makes her first appearance on the power rankings at number four following a strong performance in last Sunday's $500,000 event. Raroma Stable and trainer Kevin Attard are considering supplementing the filly to the Queen's Plate.

Sam-Son Farm's Dance Some Mo (number three) and WellSpring Stables' Safe Conduct (number five) are also part of the latest power rankings. A total of 12 different three-year-olds received votes in the latest power rankings.

The entry box for the 162^nd Queen's Plate closes the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 18.

The 162^nd Queen's Plate is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 22 at Woodbine Racetrack. Tickets are currently on sale and Woodbine will be announcing further event details next week. Fans can track the Power Rankings and all information regarding the Queen's Plate by visiting QueensPlate.com and on Woodbine Entertainment's social media platforms via @WoodbineTB.

Queen's Plate Power Rankings (Week 2 – August 6, 2021)

Rank – Horse – Career Record – Earnings – Trainer – Points – First Place Votes – Previous Ranking

1 – Weyburn – 7-2-2-0 – $343,520 – Jimmy Jerkens – 25 – 5 – 1^st
2 – Keep Grinding – 5-1-1-1 – $87,982 – Tino Attard – 15 – 0 – 3rd
3 – Dance Some Mo – 5-1-2-0 – $54,175 – 11 – 1 – NR
4 – Munnyfor Ro – 9-2-2-2 – $320,985 – 11 – 0 – NR
5 – Safe Conduct – 6-2-1-0 – $135,250 – Philip Serpe – 6 – 0 – NR

Honourable Mention: Hombre, Tio Magico, Avoman, Harlan Estate

The post Weyburn Tops Aug. 6 Edition Of Power Rankings For 2021 Queen’s Plate appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Joshua Attard, the 17-year-old son of multiple stakes winning trainer Kevin Attard, is hoping his colt Keep Grinding gets a shot at Queen's Plate glory on August 22.

In his last year of high school, Joshua has high praise for his 3-year-old Ontario-bred (trained by his grandfather Tino Attard), who capped off his 2-year-old year with an impressive victory.

Horse: Keep Grinding
Sire: Tizway
Dam: Samsal
Trainer: Tino Attard
Owner: Joshua Attard
Breeder: Huntington Stud Farm Corp.
Record: 1-0-0 from 3 starts

On being a teenage Thoroughbred owner:

“It feels great. I never would have expected, to be honest, to have a horse like this at my age. I'm really excited to have an opportunity to have a horse that is eligible for the Queen's Plate, and that has a chance to be in the race.”

On when he knew Keep Grinding had potential:

“I knew when he started to work as a 2-year-old last year. I used to go in the summer, when I didn't have school, to watch him work and he would put on a show. His first race on the grass, I knew he had some talent because he came from far out of it and the race was a little short for him. He's a two-turn horse. When he broke his maiden, that's when I said I had a Queen's Plate prospect.”

On why he chose the name:

“I wanted to name my horse something that motivated me. I play hockey. When I go into the corners, I always tell myself to keep grinding for the puck. So, if I ever had the chance to own a horse I would name it Keep Grinding. It's something that motivates me and I hope it motivates other people.”

On the thought of having a Queen's Plate starter:

“I'm very excited and happy. I'm really looking forward to that possibility of being in the Plate. Hopefully, everything goes well and we make it to the race. He started training in the past three weeks. It would be great if my grandfather and I had a shot to be in the Plate.”

On staying patient with the race being run on Aug. 22:

“I try not to think about it. I keep my thoughts to myself. I know it's a hard road to get to the Queen's Plate, so we'll just hope the horse keeps developing and getting better each week.”

The post 17-Year-Old Joshua Attard, Grandfather Tino Attard Team Up With Plate Hopeful Keep Grinding appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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