Notes On My Queen’s Plate Program

By Jude T. Feld

Thoroughbred racing’s attention turns north of the U.S. border this afternoon as Woodbine, near Toronto, hosts the 148th running of the $1,000,000 Queen’s Plate – Canada’s version of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Three other stakes grace the card and some juicy prices await players today.

The Scotts Highlander (G3) is WOODBINE’s 3RD RACE. The 2/1 morning line favorite STRADIVINSKY and the 7/2 second choice SMART ENOUGH both figure to carve out some quick early fractions. The value play is HEROS REWARD who has won his last four starts from off the pace, has John Velasquez in the saddle, and opens at 6/1 on the morning line.

WOODBINE’s 5TH RACE is the Singspiel Stakes. ROYAL CHARGER, who has won four races in nine tries, probably needed his outing in the Eclipse (G3), his lone start this year. Aussie trainer Brian Lynch has put several solid drills into his charge since then and the Stronach Stable colorbearer should be ready to duplicate his Breeders Stakes win at today’s marathon distance. Having top Bajan jockey Patrick Husbands in the saddle only enhances his chances.

The $1 million Queen’s Plate goes as WOODBINE’s 8TH RACE. JIGGS COZZ has drawn the attention of the press this week since he is riding in three-race winning streak, including a victory in the Plate Trial in his last start. He is a formidable foe, but will need his best effort to date to take home the plate. MARCHPLATE parlayed a maiden win to a second-place finish behind JIGGS COZZ in the Trial. Trainer Mark Casse is on fire and seeing Eugene Melnyk’s Barbados blue and gold silks in the winners’ circle would not be a shocker. Kiaran McLaughlin ships Shadwell Stable’s DAAHER in for the Plate. The son of Awesome Again is the only entrant to run a “better than par for the level” Brisnet speed figure. At 15-1 on the morning line he is well worth a few bucks at the windows.

WOODBINE’s 10TH RACE is the Charley Barley. Trainer Mark Frostad is winning at a 27% clip, so he obviously knows how to spot his horses. He saddles a once-raced maiden gelding, SAFE LANDING, for this race. Is he drinking his bath water? I think not. The son of Lemon Drop Kid ran decently in his seven-furlong debut at 3/2, passing six horses from start to finish, ending up fifth. A best of the morning six furlong drill since that race indicates Frostad means business and we should string along at 15/1 on the morning line.

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 at 8:00 pm and is filed under Featured Articles. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.