I don’t believe it’s already time for the  QUEEN’S PLATE! More than ever, Horse Racing is becoming vogue once again with major Canadian Outlets like eTalk, Breakfast Television and Flare several more featuring Canadian Racing’s biggest day! And although we still have a little bit of time left to coordinate our outfits – pink certainly will be the colour of choice with attentions turned to Rethink Breast Cancer – now’s the time to be thinking about who we’ll pick to win the $1-million race! This, believe it or not, is the 155th edition of the race for three-year-old horses bred in Canada – the most historic in all of North America.

Although we briefed you on the Contenders a little while back, the Post Position Draw for the Race has been held at Woodbine Racetrack and here are the official Contenders including 14 Boys and 1 remarkable Girl.  Expect American-based/Canadian-born We Miss Artie to be a clear-cut favourite in the race.

#1 Cap in Hand  – ran third in a prep race June 15th at Woodbine.  His Owners Tucci Stables won the Queen’s Plate last year with Midnight Aria, who also happens to be by the same Father as Cap in Hand, Midnight Lute.  This one has banked $47k.  He’ll need  a huge improvement to be a factor.  Trainer Sid Attard will be up against his two sons, Jamie and Paul who each have entrants.

#2 Coltimus Prime – will be a hit among Transformers Fans and believe me, there are many of you out there!    He certainly is regarded as one with potential and on his best day is capable of a big effort.  He won his June 8th prep for this race at Woodbine, the same race which saw Athenian Guard unseat his rider.  He has earned $114k in seven starts for Cabernet Stable and will be near the front of the pace in the race. He also happens to be the only Social Media-savvy entrant who has his own Twitter account: @COLTIMUSPRIME!

#3 Athenian Guard – appeared to be on his way to victory in a prep race on June 8th at Woodbine, but right into the stretch he booted his rider, Justin Stein.  He has one win to his credit and $40k in the bank for A&L Racing Stables.

#4 Asserting Bear – has the benefit of a couple super-tough races in the U.S. earlier in his 2014 campaign and in March at Turfway Park, he was less than one length from beating the definitive Queen’s Plate favourite, We Miss Artie.  He did technically win his prep for this race, the Marine Stakes, but was disqualified and placed third for interference.  Model/Actress/Jockey Chantal Sutherland-Kruse  will be aboard him for popular Bear Stables.  The gutsy colt has earned $283k thus far in his ten races to date.

#5 Man o’ Bear – is a stablemate of Asserting Bear and although he hasn’t quite shown the same ability as that one, he certainly is no slacker.  He ran third in Canada’s top race for two-year-olds last fall, the Coronation Futurity. More recently, he ran fifth to We Miss Artie in the Plate Trial and might’ve needed that one start to get going.  Shoe-obsessed Trainer Reade Baker still stands by his belief that Man o’Bear is the stronger of the Duo.

#6 We Miss Artie – appears on paper to be heads and shoulders above the competition and is a deserving race favourite.  The son of Artie Schiler, owned by Americans Ken & Sarah Ramsey won the Plate Trial effortlessly on June 15th at Woodbine, his first race ever on Canadian soil after a successful stint in the U.S.   He placed tenth in the Kentucky Derby this May, which by no means is a disgrace, considering the caliber of competition he was facing.  Top American rider Javier Castellano returns to Woodbine for the call.  In ten starts, he has grossed over $691k in earnings.  You certainly can bet on him, but don’t expect a big pay-off. He is listed at 8-5 odds, which is $5.20 back on a $2 investment.

#7 Majestic Sunset – has yet to win his first race, but he is great about bringing home paycheques for his owner, oil tycoon John C. Oxley. The handsome son of Artie Schiller, also the father of race favourite We Miss Artie, is known for having uniquely one blue and one brown eye.  He ran second to We Miss Artie recently in the Plate Trial, by far his best performance yet.  Could the earner of $111k  be saving that big win for the big day?

#8 Lions Bay – appears to be doing everything right and it is just a matter of how good and ready he really is.  In two 2014 starts, he has won both times with something left in the tank.  This will be the toughest test for the $60k-earning colt owned by the Earle family.  Young Trainer Jamie Attard also makes his first appearance in the Queen’s Plate.

#9 Heart to Heart – kicked-off his year in a big way at Keeneland this March winning dominantly, but returned home to Woodbine in the Marine Stakes finishing last.  It is necessary to clarify however, that only one horse length separated the entire field in that competitive  race and that being said, he could be in the thick of it for a piece of the prize.  He has made $111k in seven starts for owner Terry Hamilton.

#10 Matador – also is owned by John C. Oxley and has shown flashes of brilliance on his best day, hence it is just a matter of whether or not he will be on-point Queen’s Plate Day.  He won a prep race easily on May 28th at Woodbine against much easier but certainly will benefit from some tough races earlier in 2014 in the U.S. where he wasn’t much of a factor. I’ve said it once and will say it again – the earner of $260k  is a better horse on the grass.  Unfortunately though, the Queen’s Plate isn’t a grass race.  American Jockey Julien Leparoux will be flying-in for the assignment and he is listed as the third choice at 8-1 odds, which is $18 back on a $2 bet.

#11 One Destiny – is an improving type, but will need to progress leaps and bounds in-time for the weekend.  He ran third in his only start this season at Woodbine June 8th to Coltimus Prime.  Owner/Trainer Alec Fehr and Winston Penny are the connections behind this $34k winner.  He is expected to be close to the pace.

#12 Tower of Texas – has never missed  a cheque for his owners Scott Dilworth and Thomas Van Meter II, banking $108k in eight starts.  It’s taken a bit of time for the expensive purchase (he was bought for $200k) to figure things out, but he’s learning quickly and in the Plate Trial he tried rather hard, placing third ultimately to We Miss Artie. Hall of Fame Inductee Roger Attfield trains (he has won the race eight times!) and New York-based John Velazquez, who certainly knows Woodbine well, flies-in for the task.

#13 Niigon Express – certainly is talented.  The only question is whether or not he is talented enough to win the Queen’s Plate.  He has run two solid races at Woodbine this spring, placing first and then second most recently on June 15th to promising Freitag, who is by-passing the Queen’s Plate.  Owner Chiefswood Stable won this race in 2004 with his father, Niigon who also drew number #13 the year he won. Young Trainer Paul Attard will be in the Queen’s Plate the first time.  His Father Sid and Brother Jamie also have entries in the race.

#14 Lexie Lou  – the only filly in the race will be facing boys for the first time.  She is a model of consistency and more often than not runs with heart.  She recently won the prestigious $500k Woodbine Oaks, regarded as the top race for three-year-old fillies in Canada.  Film-producing giant Gary Barber (The Hobbit) purchased her for an undisclosed large sum earlier this year and he looks quickly to make a return on his investment.  Note that she ran a full second faster than race favourite We Miss Artie on June 15th.  She has earned over $600k in eleven starts and eventually will be racing on the grass surface.  Expect her mid-pack in the race early. She is listed at 4-1 odds, making her the second choice which is a $10 payout on a $2 bet.

#15 Ami’s Holiday – almost won his prep race, the $125k Marine Stakes on May 25th at Woodbine, finishing third  narrowly to Asserting Bear.  The Stewards reviewed the race and found that he had been interfered with in the stretch and was awarded subsequently second place. He has won over $214k for Owner Ivan Dalos.

See Mr. Will‘s Snaps of the official 2014 QUEEN’S PLATE Contenders:

We did a quick survey on our Facebook Fan Page to see which Horse Wongsters think will win the #QP14 and although it was a close one, you guys chose….

 ASSERTING BEAR!!! 

Never discount LEXIE LOU though, as she was a close second!

If you’re coming down to the races for the first time this Sunday, July 6, 2014, dress to impress and come say “hi” as we’ll be at the Hats & Horseshoes Party by the Walking Ring starting at 12:00 PM!   It is going to be an amazing afternoon full of races starting at 1:00 PM and your first bet is on Woodbine!  See a Betting Ambassador for details.  See you there!

If you can’t make it out to #QP14, tune-in from home on TSN in HD between 4:30 – 6:00 PM EST.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

With less than five weeks to go till the 155th edition of the QUEEN’S PLATE, we’re counting down the days to one of our favourite events of the Summer! We’ll be separating the Contenders from the Pretenders and also remembering some of our favourite looks from recent Queen’s Plates! May together we too can get a bit of inspiration what to wear on the Big Day, Sunday, July 6, 2014?

Hint: you can never go wrong with blue, a Top Hat or a lovely Fascinator! The colour of choice this year just might have to be pink as Woodbine Entertainment partner with Rethink Breast Cancer for the first time! $1 from every Queen’s Plate Tickets in fact go to Breast Cancer Research and Awareness!

The mile-and-a-quarter $1-million Race held annually at Woodbine Racetrack, puts Canada’s best three-year-old Horses against one another in the Test of a lifetime. Past Winners of the Race whom would go on to achieve great fame include the likes of Dance Smartly, Awesome Again, Northern Dancer and With Approval, their offspring changing the face of Horse Racing on an international scale. Members of the Royal Family have made their way to Woodbine in previous years to celebrate the Race, with Queen Elizabeth II visiting most recently in 2010.

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THE CONTENDERS

The Field for the Queen’s Plate is shaping-up nicely and we can expect some Canadian-born Invaders based in the U.S. to make their way north for a shot at the Winner’s Purse.  Keep in mind, a lot can happen in five weeks, so these names are subject to change.

We can expect WE MISS ARTIE, who won the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park in Kentucky back in March before a tenth-place finish against Horse Racing’s It Boy, California Chrome, in the famed Kentucky Derby.  Mind you, that is by no means a disgrace. He should really be renamed We Welcome Artie as we waited way too long on his Canadian debut, but it was well worth it as he effortlessly won the Plate Trial at Woodbine with plenty left in the tank under top U.S. rider Javier Castellano.

Owner Ivan Dalos and Trainer Josie Carroll (the first female Trainer ever to win the Queen’s Plate) have a strong Duo in undefeated filly ARAGORN AMI, Winner of the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas in February and also  the promising colt AMI’S HOLIDAY, who had a horrendous trip this past weekend to finish third (although awarded second place through disqualification) in the Marine Stakes at Woodbine.  That Race is seen as an important stepping stone to the Queen’s Plate.  The Plate Trial on Sunday, June 15, 2014 will paint us a clearer picture of where he fits, but he definitely is one of the ones to beat.

ASSERTING BEAR last weekend won the Marine Stakes before being disqualified and placed third for interfering with AMI’S HOLIDAY. That Race aside, the tenacious colt has shown he belongs with the best, winning the Nation’s top race for two-year-olds last fall, the Coronation Futurity. His Stablemate MAN O’BEAR comes highly-touted by their Trainer Reader Baker, although he has yet to make his first start in 2014 after a successful, promising two-year-old campaign.

Iconic Sam-Son Farms have won the Plate five times and just might have a shot with their speedy colt SPEIGHTSONG, a half-brother to reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Up with the Birds, who ran second in Queen’s Plate last year. Although his Trainer Malcolm Pierce has some concerns whether he can handle the classic mile-and-a-quarter distance –  a real test of stamina –  he is seen as a major contender.

Never discount the girls as seven fillies have won this prestigious Race prior. In addition to the aforementioned ARAGORN AMI, expect the superb PALADIN BAY to face the Boys in the Plate. The Finalist for Champion 2-year-old Filly honours last year at the Sovereign Awards appears to be peaking at the right time. After a dynamic win in the Selene Stakes at Woodbine last month, she faltered in the Woodbine Oaks, but could well re-group if the cards line-up right in the Queen’s Plate.

LEXIE LOU, who recently was purchased by American Film Mogul Gary Barber (21 Jump Street, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey), has fought tooth-and-nail with PALADIN BAY for much of her career and her win in the prestigious $500k Woodbine Oaks solidifies her not only as a leader in her division, but also a major threat to win the Queen’s Plate.

Looking for a Dark Horse? Several of this year’s Queen’s Plate Nominees are light on racing experience – some which have yet to win a race. Do keep a tab on the likes of UNIKAT, owned by Canadian Billionaire Frank Stronach‘s Adena Springs. The colt with regal bloodlines recently shipped to Woodbine to train and looks still to win his first race here. Fans of The Lego® Movie, which we’re giving away copies of, might find something to like about his name!

Chiefswood Stables might know a thing or two about having a Horse ready for the Queen’s Plate having won in 2004 with Niigon. Their LATIN PIPER is handled by Trainer Rachel Halden and Rider Steve Bahen (partners both on and off the track), looking to be ripe and ready for the Big Race and he continues to improve; the same applies for his brother, the consistent NIIGON EXPRESS, trained by Paul Attard and also being primed for the Plate.

FREITAG is owned now by Tycoon Earle I. Mack who won the Canadian Triple Crown in 1993 with Peteski.  The handsome colt looks to be peaking at the right time with a win mid-June in preparation for the Plate.

American Oil Tycoon John C. Oxley always is well-represented with an A-List roster of Horses based at Woodbine.  This year he has the sometimes-great MATADOR, who despite not showing consistent form, certainly isn’t to be discounted even though he disputably is a better horse on the grass (the Queen’s Place is raced on a synthetic dirt Polytrack).After a tough winter campaign, he returned home victoriously in a key prep race against lighter competition.

LEIF ERIKSON also is showing rapid improvement and the colt named after the Norse Explorer of the same name, looks like he might like the added distance of the Plate. He ran second to MATADOR in what will serve as a prep for the Plate Trial June 15, 2014, but faltered in another prep mid-June.

We’re sure even his Owners J. Peri, Frank DiGiulio Jr. and Bob Tiller (who also trains him) didn’t expect the gray THE IMPOSTER to be as good as he is, but he’s built an almost-flawless race record in three starts. More recently, he ran second to SPEIGHTSONG in the Queenston Stakes at Woodbine and looks to be improving just at the right time.

Those of you who love a good hunch bet will love Transformers-inspired COLTIMUS PRIME, who has shown good consistency at Woodbine and most recently won a prep for the Queen’s Plate. The Film (and Franchise Character) for which he is named after, actually will be in theatres about a week before the Queen’s Plate and as a side note, we will be giving away Passes shortly for TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION right here rather soon! Stay tuned.

See my Snaps of some of the 2014 Queen’s Plate Contenders below:

 Rethink Breast Cancer  will for the first time be throwing a Bash and you can attend their Rethink at the Races Vintage Garden Party! Details here.

There will be plenty of Food Trucks at Woodbine on Queen’s Plate Day this year including local Faves like Beavertails, Smoke’s Poutinerie, Nathan’s Hot Dogs and Curbside Bliss Cupcakes and more!  All are welcome to attend the Hats & Horseshoes Party (it’s free!) which begins at 12:00 PM near the Walking Ring where the Horses come out and parade before their races.

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If you want to be a part of MR. WILL’S 2014 QUEEN’S PLATE VIP EXPERIENCE, here’s your chance to party with me at the ultra-exclusive Flare Magazine Lounge.  There will be amazing food, cocktails, glamour and tons of fun to be had!  The Winner also will receive Grandstand Tickets to enjoy an amazing afternoon at the Races! And let’s not forget the chance to win some money!

  Worried about transportation? No worries, we’ll see to it that you have access to our private luxury shuttle!

To enter to experience the Party of a lifetime, Toronto Readers simply can click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook and tell me which of the Queen’s Plate Contenders (named above) you’re rooting for.  You are encouraged to share this Post with your Friends on Facebook to increase your chances at winning! You also may Re-Tweet the below:

http://mrwillwong.com/QueensPlate14  @MRWILLW wants us to #win the experience of a lifetime to party at the #QUEENSPLATE 7/6/14 at @WoodbineRacing!  #QP14

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Learn more about the Queen’s Plate here and start planning your visit like right now!

Tickets are still available, but always sell-out!  Click on the banner below to get yours now:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Entertainment)

Now in its 155th year, North America’s most historic Horse Race The Queen’s Plate, will be taking place sooner thank you think at Woodbine Racetrack!

Bringing together Canada’s finest three-year-old Horses, the prestigious $1-million Race in previous years has brought-out The Royals including Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II!

Mark your Calendars Toronto and bring-on your fanciest hat as the Hats & Horseshoes Party takes place near Woodbine Racetrack’s scenic Walking Ring once again this year. Not only can you be a part of history, but you also can be part of the Party, testing your luck on an exciting afternoon Card of Races Sunday, July 5, 2014!

There will be a variety of Live Entertainment and scintillating Food Trucks on-hand also to make the Day extra amazing!

Be a part of the fun by pre-ordering your Tickets here beginning Thursday, May 1, 2014. Tickets almost always sell-out quickly!

I’ll definitely be there this year, so I’ll see you there, Wongsters and some of you may have the chance to be a part of my ultra-exclusive FLARE Lounge Party!

If you’ve never been to the Races, this is the year to experience breathtaking Woodbine Racetrack for once and for all!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Entertainment)

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)

There’s only three days left till the 154th running of the Queen’s Plate and we’re so excited we can hardly sleep!  The Post Positions for North America’s most historic Horse Race were drawn earlier today at Woodbine Race Track and named the Favourite  at 2-1 ($6 return on a $2 bet) is Sam-Son Farm’s Up with the Birds, Winner of the Marine Stakes.  Nipissing, a Finalist in the voting as Champion two-year-old Filly in Canada last year and Winner of the Woodbine Oaks recently is the second choice at 7-2 ($9 return on a $2 bet).  Third choice is John C. Oxley‘s Dynamic Sky at 4-1 ($10 return on a $2 bet) who won the recent Plate Trial Stakes.

Odds are as follows with corresponding Post Positions:

Post Position 7: Up With the Birds  2-1

Post Position 9: Nipissing 7-2

Post Position 2: Dynamic Sky 4-1

Post Position 10: Pyrite Mountain 6-1

Post Position 4: Spring in the Air 10-1

Post Position 11: His Race to Win  10-1

Post Position 1: Midnight Aria 15-1

Post Position 6: Kaigun 20-1

Post Position 3: Jagger M 20-1

Post Position 12: River Seven 20-1

Post Position 5:  County Lineman 30-1

Post Position 8: Rackman 50-1

Please join us for the Hats & Horseshoes Party which takes place Sunday at the Walking Ring at Woodbine Racetrack between 12 – 6 PM. Everyone’s invited!  Come with your best Hat!

Thanks to Jamie-Lynn Smith for my extra-special Queen’s Plate Hat!  Can you guess who I’m supporting based on the colours?

CBC will present the Race  live in HD  this Sunday, July 7, 2013 between 4:30 – 6:00 PM EST.

See you there, Wongsters!

For more information on the Queen’s Plate, click here.  See a complete list of Entries for the amazing Race Card on Sunday at Woodbine, right here!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Traditionally one of my favourite Race Days of the year, Woodbine Oaks Day showcases Canada’s finest three-year-old Fillies.  The $500k Race this year pit together two of the Country’s best in years, Spring in the Air and Nipissing, both Division Leaders as two-year-old Fillies in 2012 – the former recently being crowned last year’s Champion at the Sovereign Awards.  Ultimately though, it would be second choice Nipissing who was victorious, winning by 3/4 of a length over Spring in the Air, the post-time Favourite.  The Winner won in a timely 1:50.3 for the nine-furlong Fixture, paying $7.10 to win on a $2 investment.  Watch the Race here.

Nipissing’s Story however truly is one of legacy and love.  She is a homebred Filly who races for Chiefswood Stables, trained by Rachel Halden and ridden by her Partner Steven Bahen.  The Filly’s Father Niigon, in 2004 won the Queen’s Plate and there is much buzz surrounding her possibly making an appearance against the Boys in the 154th running of that $1-million Race at Woodbine Racetrack next month.

See her in the Winner’s Circle below:

Not to steal the Ladies’ spotlight, the Plate Trial also was run  earlier in the day at Woodbine, with highly-regarded Dynamic Sky winning by a tight nose under the guidance of red-hot Joel Rosario, edging-out the lightly-experienced His Race to Win.  Winning in a time of 1:50.5, the Colt was just a click slower than eventual Woodbine Oaks Winner, Nipissing.  He rewarded his Supporters with $8.60 to a $2 bet as the second choice.  Watch the Race here.

Although falling-off the ultra-tough Kentucky Derby Trail earlier in the year for Tycoon Owner John C. Oxley, Dynamic Sky appears to be peaking again right in time for the Queen’s Plate.   He certainly won’t have it easy though as Plate Trial Runner-up His Race to Win is in fighting form and we mustn’t forget that one’s Sam-Son Farms Stablemate, Up With the Birds, who also looks ultra-sharp after a decisive five-length win in May 26th’s Marine Stakes at Woodbine.  Watch that Race here.

In all, this is shaping-up to be the most competitive Queen’s Plate in years with the Male and Female Divisions well-represented in talent. Bettors will have their work cut-out for them in terms of sifting through the quality selection.

Earlier in the day, legendary Mickey Walls made a rare appearance to accept the Avelino Gomez Award, honouring Canadian Jockeys who have made significant contributions to the Sport of Thoroughbred Horse Racing.  The 39-year-old Toronto Resident  retired officially in 2003, but at the age of 17 went on to be crowned North America’s most Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in winning an Eclipse Award.   Overcome with emotion, Walls held back his tears as several of his Peers and a new generation of Talent (including Model/Actress/Jockey Chantal Sutherland who recently came out of retirement), stood by his side as he accepted the Award on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course.

Racing Fans got a huge treat earlier in the day as Rosario made his way north of the Border after a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes in New York yesterday aboard the outstanding Orb, who won this year’s Kentucky Derby.  In addition to a win in the Plate Trial aboard Dynamic Sky and a runner-up finish aboard Spring in the Air in the Woodbine Oaks, Rosario graciously spent time with Fans signing Autographs and taking Photos earlier.  He came ever-prepared with array of Sharpies, giving Fans a choice of colour as he placed his coveted Signature upon 8×10s of his recent Derby Victory.

We’ll definitely be at the Queen’s Plate on Sunday July 7, 2013 and look forward to it eagerly!

  Mark your Calendars and reserve your seats today right here.  Learn all about the Hats & Horseshoes Party also right here which everyone’s invited to!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)