$1 Million Queen’s Plate Analysis
July 4th, 2010By Jude T. Feld
HRH Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother enjoyed her trips to the Queen’s Plate probably more than anyone ever has.The Queen and Prince Philip are continuing their Canadian tour back in Ontario where they will spend Sunday morning in church and their afternoon at Woodbine.
A sharp Thoroughbred owner and breeder, The Queen shared her keen interest in racing with her mother, who made several trips to the Toronto racetrack during her 100-year life. It won’t be the first time Elizabeth will attend the oldest continuously run stakes in North America — She was at the Queen’s Plate in 1959, 1973 and 1997. This year, at the race’s 151st annual running, she will make the presentation to the winning owner and jockey.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will watch the eighth race, spend some time in the walking ring, then watch the running of the Queen’s Plate, with Elizabeth herself making the winning presentations.
The Queen’s Plate was first run on June 27, 1860 after Queen Victoria granted a plate valued at 50 guineas. Today race winners get a gold cup and 50 gold sovereigns, as well as 60 per cent of the total $1-million purse.
Here’s how we see it:
HOTEP beat highly regarded Alcomatch in the Wando Stakes and came back to finish second behind the amazing Exhi in the Marine Stakes in his last two trips to the post. Jockey Patrick Husbands sticks with him over his Sam-Son Farms stablemates indicating he is the top pick. MOBTHEWARRIOR is on an interesting pattern, prepping in a seven furlong sprint and then the Plate Trial, making this his third start off the layoff – often a horse’s best. He is a colt who always shows up and if he can get the distance, there is no reason to doubt that he will get a nice piece of the $1 million purse. MOBILZER seems to be improving with racing. He is bred to get the classic distance and his solid second in the Plate Trial stamps him as a major contender. His sharp six furlong work in the blinkers he will wear this afternoon is a very positive sign as well. BIG RED MIKE won the Plate Trial in wire-to-wire fashion beating several of today’s rivals. His speed makes him dangerous but the looming question is can he go a mile and a quarter? DARK CLOUD DANCER is light on experience but not on talent. The son of sensational sire Storm Cat ran a solid second in an allowance race going a mile and an eighth last time out – his first race around two turns. He can be expected to improve off that experience but the Sam-Son Farm colorbearer seems to be a bit rushed coming into this prestigious affair. GIANT’S TOMB, a stablemate of HOTEP and DARK CLOUD DANCER, has lots of experience but lacks the winning spirit. He should love the distance of the Queen’s Plate and the blinkers trainer Mark Frostad will add to his equipment this afternoon could help him focus more on the task at hand. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith adds to his appeal and he seems a solid longshot possibility at 12-1 on the morning line. ROAN INISH, a filly, has found home in Canada much better after three nondescript races in Ireland. The daughter of Elusive Quality should love the distance, comes off a big win in the Woodbine Oaks and has trained well since. MOMENT OF MAJESTY, another filly, has run well all year. She has a lousy post but a magnificent pedigree and a versatile running style. It is not beyond her ability to win this race but jockey Robert Landry will have to work out a great trip to get the job done.
