#HORSERACING: MIDNIGHT ARIA AND FASHION WIN AT THE 2013 QUEEN’S PLATE

Fashion and fine Horses have come to define North America’s most historic Horse Race, the Queen’s Plate and Woodbine‘s Hats & Horseshoes Party was where it was at today as a large turnout came to support one of our greatest National Treasures.    The 154th Queen’s Plate was run and in attendance was the Governor General of Canada, David Lloyd Johnston, honouring this year’s Winner Midnight Aria under a daring ride from Jockey Jesse Campbell.  Owned by Tucci Stables and trained by Nicholas Gonzalez, the three-year-old Colt led wire-to-wire in what turned out to be perhaps one of the rainiest editions of the Queen’s Plate in recent memory.   Despite the rain-filled afternoon, the Track was listed as being in Fast condition.

Completing the ten-furlong race in 2:04.72, Midnight Aria defeated a talented group of Male and Female Competitors including the Favourite Up With the Birds, who despite a furious late kick, still managed to be defeated by only half a length.  In third was Dynamic Sky who just last month won the Plate Trial Stakes, while that one’s Stablemate and Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of 2012 Spring in the Air, placed fourth.  Overlooked in the betting, the Winner paid $35.20 to a $2.00 bet.

Originally from Chicago, Campbell relocated to Woodbine, where he now is based, gaining recognition for his aggressive on-the-pace riding style.  He quickly has become a Leader on the Circuit and earlier on the Card he won another major race, the Dance Smartly Stakes, aboard Filly Solid Appeal.   Meanwhile, top U.S. Jockey Joel Rosario, who just visited Toronto last month, won on the Undercard aboard favoured seven-year-old Gelding Forte Dei Marmi in the Singspiel Stakes.

I had a fantastic day mingling with some of the Beautiful People at the Grey Goose Lounge, while fitting in time to enjoy the races.  Gotta love the official Queen’s Plate Cocktail, the Blue Diamond!

Watch Midnight Aria‘s stellar win below:

See some of my Snaps at Woodbine’s Official Facebook Page here.

If you haven’t ever attended a day of races at Woodbine Racetrack, several who attended for the first time today had nothing but raves.  Check-out what People are saying on Twitter about the Queen’s Plate here and here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)