Woodbine Readies for 165th Edition of the King’s Plate, Opening Leg of Canadian Triple Crown
The Canadian horse racing season reaches a pivotal moment this Saturday as Woodbine Racetrack hosts the 165th running of the prestigious King’s Plate. As the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, this $729,355 stakes event has captured the attention of the nation’s top thoroughbred talent.
A talented field of 13 accomplished sophomores, including champion and multiple stakes winner My Boy Prince, will contest the 1 1/4-mile all-weather contest. The King’s Plate, North America’s oldest continuously run race, will set the stage for the journey towards Canadian racing’s ultimate triumph.
Headliners and Notable Contenders
Headlining the contenders is the Mark Casse-trained My Boy Prince, Canada’s champion 2-year-old male, who brings a stellar 10: 6-2-1 record into the race. “He just doesn’t give a hoot about much,” said Casse of the impressive $115,000 yearling purchase. “You sure wouldn’t look at him and think that he’s some superstar. He saves it all for on the track.”
Also drawing attention is the filly Caitlinhergrtness, trained by Kevin Attard, who finished second in the Woodbine Oaks last month. “We have seen how successful fillies can be in the Plate,” said Attard, who saddled the 2022 winner Moira. “She definitely belongs here, and the hope is that she can continue to elevate her game.”
Other notable contenders include the Mark Casse-trained Essex Serpent, winner of the Marine Stakes (G3), and Friendly Ghost, a promising runner from the barn of Evette Chartrand-Hoek. Rounding out the field are the likes of Jokestar, Midnight Mascot, Pierre, Rafaroo, Roar of the Crowd, Thor’s Cause, Bedard, No More Options, and Vitality.
The Canadian Triple Crown
The King’s Plate, the first jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, will be followed by the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie on September 10 and the Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine on September 29. The last horse to sweep the Triple Crown was Wando in 2003.
First post for the stakes-filled Woodbine card is set for 12:25 p.m. EDT, with the King’s Plate scheduled as Race 11 at 6:10 p.m.
🔗 Source