Woodbine is a track of two tales: history and innovation. The home of the historic Queen's Plate–which will be run for the 163rd time Sunday thus making it the longest continuously run race in North America–has been undergoing renovations that on a conceptual level, might border on the fantastical. That is, until it is seen in person. At the forefront of structural renewal, Woodbine, which covers 684-acres of prime real estate in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, currently stands against a backdrop of development that would make most other racing operators blush. Looming in the background of the track's famed paddock is the ever-expanding framework of an amphitheater and a hotel, both slated for unveiling in the spring of 2023. A second hotel and a train station are also among other amenities slated for the future. And while the present-day Woodbine continues to expand at an impressive rate, the legacy of the oval and the tradition of the track's Classic race, the Queen's Plate, remain solidly embedded in the psyche of the local horse community.
Looking for his first Queen's Plate victory is trainer Kevin Attard, who will saddle morning-line favorite Moira (Ghostzapper), campaigned by X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables and SF Racing. Third in the initial jewel in Canada's Triple Crown with H C Holiday last year, Attard attempts to saddle the first filly to win the 1 1/4-mile test since Wonder Gadot established the feat in 2018. Attard's best finish in the race was recorded by Alezzandro, finishing second in the 2007 Queen's Plate before taking the second jewel in the Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales S.
“This is my ultimate goal right here,” admitted Attard. “It is an instrumental race in Canadian racing. The history and the hype that leads up to this race. There are a few Canadian Hall of Fame trainers that have had very successful careers and won great races, but the one that has eluded them was the Queen's Plate. I have been down this path with a horse I thought had a good chance to win. It hasn't worked out yet, but I hope Moira is the one that could put the icing on the cake.”
She won the Princess Elizabeth S. on debut and was runner-up in the GIII Mazarine S. at two, earning her a Sovereign Award nomination. A narrow winner in her sophomore debut in the seven-furlong Fury S. June 11, she blew the doors off her competition with an eye-popping 10 3/4-length victory in the nine-panel Woodbine Oaks July 24. In her most recent work, she covered five furlongs in a sharp :59 4/5, the fifth fastest of 46 at the distance Aug. 14.
“She seems like she has blossomed since her Oaks win,” confirmed Attard, son of longtime Woodbine trainer Tino Attard. “She's had two good interim breezes. She's put on some weight and her coat looks great and is vibrant and healthy. I don't think she could be coming into the race in any better form.”
While the Oaks appeared executed to perfection, the high-spirited filly stepped on her hind foot, dislodging one shoe while bending the other. The mishap prompted Attard to make an 11-hour decision and have both back shoes removed for the race. A move that didn't appear to affect the filly.
“She doesn't like to stand still too long,” explained Attard. “She does get a little bit antsy. That's the only real quirk to her. Once she has the tack on, she really hasn't done anything really negative.”
He continued, “The larger crowd is something she will have to handle, but luckily, even with her pre-race antics in the Oaks, she didn't break out or wide. It's not like she lost her race in the paddock, so she was able to keep herself in check. We've done a lot of schooling with her, so we can get her over this. We have a little bit of a different game plan, we're going to tack her in the paddock for [the Queen's Plate], so hopefully she handles that all well. The idea right now is she's going over there with four shoes and we hope she keeps them all on by the time she gets to the starting gate.”
With most of her competitors already having taken their shot in the Queen's Plate, trainer Katerina Vassilieva will attempt to win the Classic in her first attempt. Given the task to land lucrative prize is GIII Marine S. scorer Rondure (Oxbow), owned by Borders Racing Stable. A 10 3/4-length winner in his unveiling at Woodbine in May, the colt finished runner-up behind the re-opposing The Minkster (English Channel) in the June 12 Queenston S.
“He's done nothing wrong this year. He broke his maiden impressively and was just beaten a head in the Queenston S., which solidified in my mind that he is a legitimate horse that can compete at a high stakes level. He impressed me even more in the Marine, so right then I knew I had a legitimate runner for the Queen's Plate.”
“There wasn't too much time between the Queenston and the Marine, so I thought I could give him a little bit of a breather, especially after the big effort that he put in.”
Rafael Hernandez, who was aboard for Rondure's latest win, opted to ride Moira, vacating the saddle for U.S. import Flavien Prat.
“I had it in my mind that if he was to choose the filly, I was going to contact a rider from the U.S. I had Irad Ortiz [Jr.] in mind, because he won the Plate last year and I had Flavien Prat in mind because he won it two years ago [One Bad Boy]. I think Flavien will be a tremendous rider for my horse.”
More Graded Action
Woodbine offers an addition trio of stakes on the Queen's Plate undercard, highlighted by the GII Kind Edward S. and GII Canadian S. In the former, last season's GI Woodbine Mile winner Town Cruise (Town Prize) attempts to record his first victory since taking that race almost a year ago. Also looking to regain the winning thread is GI Maker's Mark Mile Shirl's Speight (Speightstown), who has hit the board once in three starts since, finishing third for Hall of Famer Roger Attfield in the GIII Salvator Mile in June.
Mark Casse, represented by Hall of Dreams (Lemon Drop Kid) and Sir For Sure (Sligo Bay {Ire}) in the day's Classic feature, also saddles Filo Di Arianna (Brz) (Drosselmeyer) and March to the Arch (Arch). The duo finished 1-2 in the GII Connaught Cup July 23. The Hall of Fame trainer also saddles a pair in the GII Canadian S.-French Group 2 scorer Fev Rover (Ire) and Keyflower (Fr) (Kheleyf). Attempting to stand in his way is Graham Motion, who offers up Crystal Cliffs (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}), winner of Gulfstream's Sand Springs in April and second in the GIII Gallorette S. at Pimlico May 21. Most recently, he came from just off the pace to annex the mile GII Nassau S. over the E.P. Taylor turf course July 2.
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