The 162th edition of North America’s most historic race, the Queen’s Plate, took place at Woodbine Racetrack yesterday. Fans being able to return back to the grandstand was something to cheer about. Even at 50% capacity at which tickets were sold-out with safety guidelines in place, the energy was electric still with reduced fanfare like activations, concerts and pop-ups.
The $1-million race was taken by SAFE CONDUCT, a New York-based son of Bodemeister who held-on gamely to the wire under U.S. jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., to win by a head. The 1 1/4 mile affair was run in a quick 2:02.8, the Phillip Serpe trainee owned by WellSpring Stable paying $8.00 to win on a $2.00 bet as the race favourite. Mitchell Kursner bred the colt and was present for the festivities with his family.
Prior to the race, the Jockey Class of ’21 posed together for a group shot!
The class of ’21! #QueensPlate #QP21 pic.twitter.com/e6ABDMBvOW
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) August 22, 2021
Bettors wagered a whopping $16.1 million on the Queen’s Plate Sunday card, up from last year’s $14.5 million. The boost in popularity Woodbine has seen amidst the pandemic has continued with a spiked interest from U.S bettors who turned to the Toronto oval, while other tracks had closed.
In addition to action-packed racing, some notable names visited yesterday including Canada’s most decorated Olympian of all time, Penny Oleksiak, a vision in pink. Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Walk of Fame inductee Jim Cuddy graced us with his presence, performing with his Trio on the track apron, while Universal Music Canada emerging artist Ryland James performed the national anthem. Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elisabeth Dowdeswell arrived at the event by carriage, in a manner fit for the queen that she is!
So amazing Oleksiak shared our Snaps with her followers as well, a class act!
Canada’s most decorated Olympian of all time, Penny Oleksiak, at the #QueensPlate. #QP21 pic.twitter.com/tA4wogdRNT
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) August 22, 2021
Several enticing stakes races lined the race card as well, giving the betting public some exciting options to wager.
The $350k Grade I Highlander would go to Stronach Stables’ SILENT POET. The hard-knocking six-year-old notched the biggest score of his career under regular pilot Justin Stein. Frank Stronach and his team at Adena Springs North also were present for celebrations. Trainer Nick Gonzalez received several congratulations from other horses’ connections, and he gestured to the sky in thanks at his late wife Martha who had passed last year.
The $175k Grade II Dance Smartly Stakes was taken by Christophe Clement trainee MUTAMAKINA, under jockey Dylan Davis. The formerly French-based mare by top sire Nathaniel, has found success in North America by way of the New York circuit.
The $150k Grade III Ontario Colleen Stakes took place earlier on the card with OUR FLASH DRIVE making it a perfect three-for-three in 2021 for Team Mark Casse and Live Oak Plantation. Patrick Husbands was aboard the score.
Was very excited seeing 79-1 shot MAMBOINTHEFOREST take his leg of the Turf Endurance Series under Sahin Civaci for Trainer Ron Sadler and Owner Phillip Lanning. You might recall this is the horse whom won me my Sovereign Award earlier this year for Outstanding Photograph! He won for me and that’s my story! Still waiting for the chance to visit him on the backstretch one day to give him some mints!
An awesome tidbit is that Stronach Stables’ RIPTIDE ROCK ran a hard-fought second in the Queen’s Plate. I remember joking when I took this Selfie with him and his mom Irish Influence – just a couple days old – that he’d one day be a Queen’s Plate winner… and we never would’ve guessed he’d almost do it!
I remember kidding with @AdenaSprings that I was taking a pic with a future #QueensPlate winner, but who’d have known he would almost get it done? #QP21 runner-up Riptide Rock, a valiant second, as a days-old baby. pic.twitter.com/kJTXC6oWJN
— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) August 23, 2021
Woodbine‘s next marquee card Woodbine Mile Day, takes place Saturday, September 18, 2021.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Taking place at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena tonight, the 47th annual JUNO Awards took place, celebrating the best in Canadian achievements on a national and international stage. The themes of truth and reconciliation were front and center tonight in light of recent social movements like #TimesUp and #MeToo.
The late Gord Downie was honoured winning Artist of the Year. Brothers Patrick and Mike accepted the Award on his behalf, stating “All this love and support is really helping the healing. This is Gord‘s Award. He’s Artist of the Year but he was our man of a lifetime.”. He was paid tribute to also by friends Dallas Green (City and Colour) and Sarah Harmer via song during the CBC Broadcast. Downie himself was awarded post-humously alongside Kevin Drew as Songwriter of the Year for their work on A Natural, Introduce Yerself and The North on his Album Introduce Yerself, released October 2017. He also won for Adult Alternative Album of the Year.
“I left your house this morning” 🎶 @cityandcolour and @sarah_harmer perform an amazing tribute to Gord Downie #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/ZktmUPKeLK
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
Receiving major recognition tonight also was Montreal’s Arcade Fire winning Album of the Year for Everything Now. The Band also were recognized for their body of contributions, receiving the International Achievement Award.
Everything RIGHT NOW! 🌐 @arcadefire https://t.co/tsEGnDry4i pic.twitter.com/rqTtZxLJUS
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
Michael Bublé, who prior to tonight had won 12 JUNOs, filled hosting duties after being unable to do so last year due to his son Noah falling ill.
He won for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year for Nobody But Me and confirmed earlier in the evening that he and his wife Luisana Lopiloto are expecting a second child. Fellow Vancouver native Diana Krall who won Vocal Jazz Album and Producer of the Year for her Album Turn Up the Quiet would join him on-stage in a duet of Nat King Cole‘s Love.
We L-O-V-E @DianaKrall and @michaelbuble performing together! ❤ #JUNOS https://t.co/ORKYyA7mNM pic.twitter.com/66TC3rtqxF
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
Another major highlight was Canadian Outfit Barenaked Ladies coming together on-stage for a one-night-only reunion, marking the Band’s 30th anniversary. The Band this year are inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Steven Page had embarked on a solo career in 2009 and joined his Bandmates on-stage and each of them individually thanked those who were a part of their success in a comical song which drew thunderous applause from the crowd.
.@barenakedladies with @stevenpage are officially inducted into the @CANMusicHF! #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/Crd4B1I0Sw
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
Pickering’s Shawn Mendes won Single of the Year for There’s Nothing Holdin’ me Back and also the Fan Choice Award, although he wasn’t in attendance as he preps his upcoming Album.
Kendrick Lamar won International Album of the Year for DAMN.
Toronto’s LIGHTS was awarded Pop Album of the Year for her Disc, Skin & Earth.
Brampton’s Jessie Reyez scored for Breakthrough Artist. Her hit Figures reached #58 on the Canadian Billboard Hot 100, which she performed live on the Broadcast joined by fellow Torontonian Daniel Caesar, who won R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for his Track, Freudian.
No words ❤ @Jessiereyez @DanielCaesar #JUNOS pic.twitter.com/dtPDdB4mdI
— The JUNO Awards (@TheJUNOAwards) March 26, 2018
See some of the talent back in Toronto from the JUNOs festivities! Hover cursor left and right to navigate.
For a complete list of winners, click here.
The Awards will take place in London, Ontario in 2019.
(Photo/video credit: The JUNO Awards)
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