The season’s begun and guess what? PRINCESS is back too! We tried keeping this a secret but so much for that! Our girl A PIC BY MRWILL makes her three-year-old debut right in time for the start of the 2017 racing season at Woodbine Saturday, April 15, 2017. Under the silks of her proud parents John Ross and Cathy Wong, she will be ridden for the first time ever by respected journeyman and Avelino Gomez Award recipient Steven Bahen whom she struck a real strong connection with in a breeze last Saturday.
Steven Bahen
Steven who stunned the racing world in 2011 aboard 80-1 upset Queen’s Plate winner T J’s Lucky Moon, has in his career piloted greats like Mt. Sassafrass, Simply Lovely, Silent Fleet, Cinquieme Essai and Nipissing. He unlocked something in Princess we’ve never seen prior before in her workouts and we’re excited to see their chemistry together on the track for the first time! Hopefully the Ross barn’s two wins on opening day in 2016 – one courtesy of Steven – are a sign of things to come? But really, we’re happy just to see progress as she’s shown us all winter in Florida!
Princess a couple weeks back had the honour also of working under #emmazing Emma-Jayne Wilson in a good work, her first since being back at Woodbine. She has been paired with workmate Royal Katy under Katy Morrison and has kept right up.
Some Snaps of that:
She faces a talented and promising field of young ladies making their three-year-old debut at five furlongs, a distance Princess trained at last week. We have a feeling she might want to go a bit longer but this is a great starting point for her to get a race under her belt.
Send all your luck, we need it and appreciate it! See you at the races Saturday? Race 10, #10! Post time is 5:59 PM EST.
Mr. Will x Princess
p.s. Princess is now on Facebook too! Come be her ‘priend’ here.
These past few days have been exciting for her and if you are in Toronto, tune in 6:20 PM EST tonight on CTV during their Sports segment for a feature including Princess, her dad John and Emma! Thanks CTV, Keith McCalmont and Woodbine!
.@CTV_Television also had their chance to meet ‘Princess’ aka @APicByMrWill who was keen to show off her new friend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UmyrSw84eB
— Keith-TripleDeadHeat (@TripleDeadHeat) April 12, 2017
Best friends. Photo of @APicByMrWill by @mrwillw #horses #horse #HorseRacing #thoroughbred #ontarioracing #woodbine #friends pic.twitter.com/PBU6IznWLq
— Ontario Racing (@ONTRacing) April 10, 2017
Princess in 3D. Coming soon to theatres. 👑
A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Having grown-up at Woodbine Racetrack, the track holds a dear and special place in my heart. Did you know that the 2017 thoroughbred racing season there begins in less than three weeks?
In addition to the amazing thrill of the sport and the chance to win big, the food at Woodbine is superb. The buffets at The Woodbine Club and Favourites Dining Room make deciding what to eat real simple. Almost everything on the menu is amazing from an extensive range of salads to brunch items (lunch only) to mains and of course, their delectable desserts. You don’t need to know a lot about horse racing to know that beauty is the majestic view of the track you get at either dining room and that delicious are their menu offerings.
Late last year we had the opportunity to chat with George Correia, Executive Chef and Chef de Cuisine Michael Mortensen about their culinary journeys, some of the more high profile clientele they’ve cooked for (even Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth II has stopped by!) at Woodbine and of course some handy tips we can all use to a quick, no fuss meal at home! I also quiz them on their Food Trivia knowledge and we just may have stumped them on a few things!
Watch below:
If this excites you to want to try some of the amazing dining options at Woodbine Racetrack – and we know you’re salivating – we’re giving away a lunch experience for two to be used 2017 season opening day, Saturday, April 15, 2017. To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. You must be able to travel to Toronto to enjoy this prize.
For an extra chance, you may “favourite” this Tweet on Twitter: @mrwillw or post on Instagram: @mrwillwong.
With a variety of different set-ups, Woodbine‘s got something for every milestone or holiday. Learn how they can make it easy by hosting your own event right here!
Don’t forget to follow Woodbine Racetrack on Twitter: @woodbineracing and their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WoodbineRacing. Tickets now are on sale for the event of the year, the Queen’s Plate!
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The year holds so many milestones for us. For one, for the first time ever we are up for a Media Sovereign Award for Outstanding Photograph. The Awards take place Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Toronto’s Palais Royale with the likes of icon Frank Stronach in attendance, plus many heroes of the sport. Find out how you too can attend the glamorous Sovereign Awards here.
Also, our dear girl A Pic by Mrwill (aka Princess) has been hard at work in Florida all winter prepping her 2017 sophomore season. Don’t forget to read the latest installment of her Princess Diaries here.
See you opening day!
(Photo/video credit: Woodbine Entertainment)
She’s back! Our girl Princess (A Pic by Mrwill) officially has made her return to Woodbine! Trucking-in from Classic Mile Training Center in Ocala, Florida where she wintered, Princess made it in early Thursday morning to resume preparations for her eagerly-awaited 2017 sophomore campaign. Team John Ross including assistant Wesley and groom Tedston among others oversaw her development and care and my, has she ever blossomed!
We’ve been keeping a close watch on our dear girl and while there are only a couple reported workouts out of Florida so far this winter, we can say that she has progressed from the horse who fought to keep-up in her workouts now to the one coming-out ahead. Princess’ mom Cathy (seen below) occasionally sends us updates and although I believe what I am told, I sometimes really just need to see it for myself.
Walking into her barn Saturday morning, my first time seeing her in almost four months, I couldn’t believe my eyes! I’m unsure if it’s because her mane has grown-out making her look more elegant or if it’s because she’s sporting that sunny Florida glow, but Princess looked absolutely stunning. She’s never looked better. She’s almost tall enough to touch the top of her her stall door frame! Watch out there, big girl!
Moving a stall down this year, I am happy to see that she has a little window now to help her keep in touch with her training mate Royal Katy, a Colonel John filly who showed lots of promise in non-restricted company last fall at Woodbine finishing close to the likes of Queen’s Plate contender Ellen Vannin, the talented Tulsa and Mark Casse trainees Heard That and Kodiac Gal.
And I had my doubts whether Princess would remember me after not seeing me this long, but how silly was I for thinking that!? She started responding ecstatically once she saw me walk into her barn, knowing exactly what was going down. It’s as if she were Eve, discovering the sweet taste of an Ontario apple for the first time, so unable to contain herself she spat out a chunk biting more than she could chew. I’ve seen her happy and I’ve seen her a bit down, but I’ve never ever seen her this excited!
What I found particularly funny was seeing her respond to barn mates being walked around, poking her head out of her stall and nipping at them. A new habit perhaps? What happened to our sweet Princess?! In all, I’m happy to see her confidence up, which is exactly what we all felt she needed to grow into all along.
Princess releases a statement on her return to Woodbine:
If all goes well hopefully we’ll be seeing Princess’ season debut real soon. Like you, we don’t know where the winter went with less than three weeks left till Woodbine‘s 2017 season begins!
Some fresh snaps of Princess:
Shout-out also to Scacher and Gianni Lighta who are bringing their #WorkCrewStyle (click to check out their YouTube channel about life on the backstretch) to Team John Ross:
… and did you know that Princess has a beautiful two-year-old full sister named Miss G Note? Although we see a clear resemblance, she’s definitely much more reserved than Princess. Light Angel vs. Dark Angel if you will! I’m sure many of you with siblings can relate. Are you a Light Angel like Princess or a Dark Angel like Miss G Note?
2016 certainly did not disappoint and Racing Fans were gifted with new memories to last a lifetime. Whether it be CAREN‘s complete domination locally, SIR DUDLEY DIGGES’ shocking Queen’s Plate upset, Turf Queen TEPIN‘s long-awaited and fruitful visit to Woodbine in the Woodbine Mile, ERUPT‘s explosive win in the Pattison Canadian International or just seeing some our favourites again and new faces emerging, the year gave us each a memory that holds a special meaning.
True to annual tradition, I’ve compiled my favourite snaps and compiled them into one video from my daily journeys to Woodbine here in Toronto, all the way to sunny Arcadia, California at the Breeders’ Cup. To an amazing 2017 that will have some big horseshoes to fill!
Be sure to check-out ONTARIO RACING‘s website and Social Media channels in the days leading up the Christmas for the stories behind some of my favourite moments.
Enjoy.
Mr. Will
2016: A YEAR IN HORSES
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong | Audio: Universal Music Group)
Happy Thanksgiving! It’s been a while since we’ve had an installment of Princess Diaries, so we thought we’d check-in on our sweetheart, A PIC BY MRWILL!
After surprising us with a sharp burst of speed in her last race August 5th, she had us biting our nails in what was her most daring run yet, leading most of the way to tire late at the seven furlong distance. I guess our biggest dilemma still is figuring just how far Princess wants to go. Her first start showed great late kick and that last race she showed unexpected speed out of the gate. Regardless, she has a lot of learning to do, but we’ve seen enough potential and brilliance from her to know she’ll get there.
Princess had a couple setbacks this Summer including a virus which had her coughing quite a bit and also a minor injury preventing her from making a scheduled start on Woodbine Mile Day (how cool it would’ve been to run the same card as Tepin!). While she continues to grow rapidly, Team John Ross is doing the right thing giving her the winter to mature. We all know she is a special filly and we will give her all our patience as we look forward to her three-year-old season.
For now she continues to gallop on the daily with exercise rider Josh, whom she seems to be gelling quite well with!
Princess + Josh:
A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
A lovely portrait by the v. talented Emily Shields:
A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
Her fave:
Decisions still are being made whether she will winter locally or head down to Florida, so we’ll be spending as much time with Princess over the next little while as we’ll miss her!
Along the way we’ve had so much fun cheering on Team John Ross, who have had a phenomenal season so far with triple-winner CLASSYSHADESOFGREY, stakes-placed RAGLAN ROAD and stakes winners R U WATCHINGBUD, ULTRAFLAME and LOKINFORPURSEMONEE, the latter who has stamped himself one of the top two-year-olds in the country.
We thank everyone including jockey Sheena Ryan who has been with Princess from the start and all of our PICsies/Pritches (however spicy you are!) for all your support. We are touched by all your encouragement and won’t let you down next year!
#woodbineracetrack kissing the Princess at #jrracing stables
A photo posted by Lindsay Ross (@lindsayross2000) on
Princess + Vernon:
Princess + George:
Princess, Chloe + Katya:
Princess, Max + Ally:
Follow A PIC BY MRWILL on Instagram and Twitter!
(Photo/video credit: Woodbine Entertainment Group/Mr. Will Wong)
Although this latest edition of Princess Diaries comes a bit sooner than imagined, our girl A PIC BY MRWILL is back! We were so touched by all the support Princess got from Racing Fans and Handicappers alike once again being bet-down as the post-time favourite in her second start early July.
We let you down and we are sorry. We still love you and hope you haven’t stopped loving us.
We admit like you we were a bit baffled by that last race where she was a bit more forwardly-placed, only to fade in the stretch especially after her first race and workout tab showed so much promise. Since then, she’s had a month to regroup. We’ve seen her focus on distance with her longest workout to date yet at six furlongs. She’s also been going on her two-mile jogs and we hear she is a “monster” and full of power on those.
Team John Ross, who have been having an amazing season with stable stars like R U Watchingbud, Ultraflame and top two-year-olds Raglan Road and Lokinforpursemonee (also, wait till they unveil the promising Cool Catomine!) have patiently been handling Princess and figuring her out. Rest assured, we still believe in her and love her very much. Her tall and strong physiology suggest she will appreciate added distance and this is exactly what she’ll get in her third lifetime start on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Woodbine.
Otherwise, in addition to a professional training regimen, we’ve been there to give her lots of support and love with kisses, apples and mini carrots – no candies for now though till she applies herself a bit more, but we leave this at her Handler Basil‘s discretion should he feels it’s warranted! Cathy (her Mom) and I have been firm about this.
I also ordered her a brand-new halter from wonderful Fincham’s Harness Shop in Nobleton. She looks amazing in it and has taken to it rather well! New halter, change of luck? No one ever said Horse Racing wasn’t hokey!
The amount of support Princess has received from the Media including mentions in the Daily Racing Form, the Toronto Star, Woodbine‘s Social Media channels and more recently Down the Stretch (the publication by 680 News’ Peter Gross) is a true testament in the public’s interest in her story and I am so proud of her no matter her order of finish Friday. In case you haven’t read the piece in Down the Stretch, you may click here to read more.
We appreciate all your encouragement and hope to see you there Friday at Woodbine or in-spirit!
#PrincessPower ☇
Princess’ Dad John helping her put on her blinkers
Racing fans scoping out Princess in her second race early July
Princess down the stretch
Basil giving Princess a cool bath
Princess‘ Mom Cathy helping her put on her new halter
Princess and her Teddy
Princess + I giving each other a needed pick-me-up
My little Disney Princess! Thank you Sheri (@GoFilly) + Sienna!
Of course, Princess is all about POKEMON GO too!
Gotta catch ’em all!!! Goddad finally let me use his phone!! #PokemonGo
A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
Some Princess Snapchats! Too cute.
Race 1, Friday, August 5, 2016, Number 1. A PIC BY MRWILL.
Follow A PIC BY MRWILL on Social Media:
Twitter: @APICBYMRWILL
Instagram: @APICMYMRWILL
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Whaddya know? It’s Princess time! Our girl A PIC BY MRWILL is ready for her second race after a promising debut early June at Woodbine where she finished strong at the ultra-short four-and-half furlong distance. A bit more distance she asked for and a bit more she will get!
Team John Ross and I were so touched that the betting public and experts gave her a firm vote of confidence, making her the well-bet favourite that day. Thank you.
We admit there was some growing to do, and the Team learned a few surprising things about her from that debut. It is always a bit disappointing when things don’t go as envisioned. I was told by moments before the race that she wasn’t going to win because others had stronger workouts than her and also it was suggested that my going on about Princess was going to ruin her chances of winning. That aside, it is the outpour of support from the community following the race however that shone through. “Next time!”. “She is beautiful!”. “She ran great!”. “The first race always is a toss-out for two-year-olds!”. These are comforting words I needed to hear and all in some way true. People are protective of our feelings and that did not go unappreciated.
My eldest brother John and Parents even came out – without telling me – to support Princess, which I realized only after finding a $100 Win-Place ticket on my kitchen table when I got home. 😢
This past month Princess really has applied herself in her training on and off track. Focus has gone into getting her acclimated with the paddock with her groom, the awesome Basil, so that she’s comfortable with her surroundings in the lead-up to the race. With her rider Sheena Ryan, she also has been working out of the starting gate to get ready for the next big day!
Be around for some exciting news later today, PICsies!
A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
The Clockers (individuals who time workouts) were talking at the annual pre-Queen’s Plate Trackside Breakfast, singling her out for a great show of gate speed in her recent workout on June 25th. We love that our dear Dawn Lupul chimed-in that A Pic By MrWill actually is better known as Princess! 😄
It’s our job normally to publicize, so it is a challenge that often in this sport there’s a bit of hush-hush and fear of jinxes. Sorry, but we can’t help but get a little excited over this! We’re expecting a great turn of foot and are confident in her.
In addition to growing (she already is tall to begin with!) quickly with each visit, we see a bit more fire in Princess. We admit she’s very sweet and almost pet-like, but at times but I worry this translates onto the track too. We’re loving that aggressiveness we’re seeing in her of late. I mean, look at her reaction to a delicious Royal Gala apple for one.
A video posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
Remember how I said rainbow carrots were my fave? Wrong. APPLES.
A video posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
This past weekend’s Queen’s Plate was a huge deal for us. Check-out Princess in this gorgeous fascinator loaned by her mommy Cathy for the occasion, as she greet a group of Social Media influencers with great professionalism a couple weeks back.
A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
So much fun partying with these guys Saturday and Gator! Miss u baes!! Come back soon!
A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
Found myself the perfect #QueensPlate date, Gator!!! #QP16
A photo posted by Princess (@apicbymrwill) on
And if you haven’t read it yet, here’s an amazing profile about us penned by one of the City’s greats, Shinan Govani, including a bit about Princess and I. We love that Princess’ story is extending beyond the racing community.
An incredible honour being profiled by @ShinanGovani in today’s digital @TorontoStar. Print version out Saturday! https://t.co/GLsS97HFoI
— MR. WILL WONG (@mrwillw) July 4, 2016
The print version appears in the Saturday, July 9th edition of the Toronto Star. If you’d like it personalized, please pick-up a copy, see me and I will do so!
Princess (A PIC BY MRWILL) makes her second start at Woodbine Racetrack Saturday, July 9, 2016, race 5 at 3:05 PM EST.
Be there. Let’s take a PIC!
If you aren’t already following our own little “Toronto star”, you can do so here:
Princess on Twitter (@apicbymrwill)
Princess on Instagram (@apicbymrwill)
See you Saturday.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
The 157th running of the Queen’s Plate was held today at Woodbine Racetrack, bringing together some stellar fields of horses leading up to the $1-million marquee moment, North America’s most historic thoroughbred horse race. Winning in an upset victory this year was SIR DUDLEY DIGGES, owned by racing icons, Ken and Sarah Ramsey. Shipping-in from the U.S. the three-year-old Gio Ponti colt under jockey Julien Leparoux closed late furiously to claim the victory over favoured AMI’S GIZMO.
Won in a time of 2:04.09 for one and a quarter miles, SIR DUDLEY DIGGES won by half a length. Finishing third was ALL ON RED. The winner paid $33.90 to a $2 bet.
Ramsey, who has plans to continue bringing his business north, spoke at a media scrum following the race at Woodbine‘s Press Box, indicating his sights are set on winning the Canadian Triple Crown (Fort Erie‘s Prince of Wales Stakes, followed by Woodbine‘s Breeders’ Stakes). One of his former Queen’s Plate contenders WE MISS ARTIE now is standing in Ontario as a stallion and he has sent some mares up to be bred to him.
In addition, the amazing day of races featured wins by LEXIE LOU (former Horse of the Year and Queen’s Plate victress), DANISH DYNAFORMER (former Queen’s Plate candidate and winner of the Breeders’ Stakes), CONQUEST ENFORCER (originally considered for the Queen’s Plate) and PASSION FOR ACTION (a hard-knocking local sprinter). A filled grandstand and the thunderous roar of the crowd very much is telling that Horse Racing is still alive here in Canada!
Check out some of our highlights of the day including some of the headlining names at the first-ever Queen’s Plate concert including Hedley, The Strumbellas and Matthew Good. We love the colourful fashion, the brilliant fascinators, the amazing food trucks, cocktails and festivity. The Queen’s Plate outdid itself once again and it forever is our highlight of the Summer.
My #QP16 look
Showtime!
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
The Paddock Party
Food Trucks!
Food trucks! Food trucks! #QP16
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Buster’s Sea Cove’s Key Lime Pie In a Jar
#RethinkattheRaces
The official cocktail of #RethinkattheRaces, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Lemonade + Soda. #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
#FashionattheRaces with Bri Mott
With Ray Paulick (The Paulick Report) and Yvonne Schwabe
With Ray Paulick (Paulick Report) + Owner/Breeder @Yschwabe. #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Passion for Action wins the Highlander!
Ryan Campbell, groom of Passion for Action
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
With Racing Ambassador Dan Tordjman and his father Max
Conquest Enforcer wins the Charlie Barley
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Team Casse
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Fashionistas
Loving some of the fashion we’re seeing at #QP16. @geekigirl’s fascinator. 👏
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
More #QP16 Cuties. Hi @nataliedeane!
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
These girls are all sorts of YES! #QP16 Style done right.
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Woodbine’s Dawn Lupul
My hun @WoodbineDawn channeling rock goddess. #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Jackie Redmond of The Score
Hands down one of the best-dressed today! Gorgeous sports personality #JackieRedmond. #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Katie Lamb, Toronto Star (Trainer Mark Cassse picked her Fascinator!)
Katie Lamb (@katielamb) with a photobomb by the brilliant Lady Shipman. #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Alx Feliz performing the Anthem
#AlxFeliz performing the anthem. #QP16
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
The Hamilton Tigercats walk the Pink Carpet
So the #HamiltonTigercats showed up! #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
The Social’s Melissa Grelo and The Strumbellas
#TheSocialCTV’s @MelissaGrelo with #TheStrumbellas! #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Rethink Breast Cancer Ambassador Sarah Regan walks the Pink Carpet
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Hedley walk the Pink Carpet
#Hedley have arrived! Our #QP16 Headliner!!
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
With #JacobHoggard of #Hedley. The triple concert starts in an hour! #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Lexie Lou wins the Dance Smartly
Literally crying before thousands of people. The Queen reigns in the Dance Smartly. #QP16
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Sir Dudley Digges wins the 2016 Queen’s Plate
#SirDudleyDigges wins the #QP16!
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Winning jockey Julien Leparoux cools down in Press Box
Julien Leparoux cools down after his winning ride. #QP16
A video posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
With winning owner of Sir Dudley Digges, Ken Ramsey and Trainer Mike Maker
Matthew Good
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Hedley
That’s a wrap!
And that’s a wrap! Time for a breather. #QP16
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on
Missed the Queen’s Plate? There’s still a long season ahead filled with amazing racing! We’ll see you at Woodbine!
We’d like to thank our official partners Ford Canada for making the Ford Fiesta our official car Canada Day/Queen’s Plate weekend and Hotel Novotel Mississauga Centre for being our official Queen’s Plate hotel!
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
There’s just TWO days to go till the Queen’s Plate! Have you got your tickets yet? The 157th edition of North America’s most historic race takes place on Sunday, July 3, 2015 at Woodbine Racetrack. Canada’s top three-year-old horses compete for both glory and a shot at that $1-million purse money!
As announced prior, there will be three headlining acts following the race card including Hedley, Matthew Good and The Strumbellas! Alx Feliz will also be performing the National Anthem. The day will see no shortage of fashion, glamour and fun at the Hats & Horseshoes Party hosted by the hosts of CTV‘s The Social including Lainey Lui, Melissa Grelo, Traci Melchor and Cynthia Loyst! There will be plenty of amazing cocktails including the return of the signature cocktail of the Queen’s Plate, The Blue Diamond and amazing food trucks! With its summer festival vibe, the Queen’s Plate truly has it all.
Post positions were drawn and the field is looking highly competitive with 12 males and one female set to go to post on the big day. Let’s take a quick look at the contenders, organized by Post Position:
What makes this year unique is that many of the contenders have taken an unconventional path to the Queen’s Plate. ALL ON RED, ESPOSITO, SIR DUDLEY DIGGES and SCHOLAR ATHLETE all come with strong credentials, preparing in the U.S. The latter two have specialized on the turf, while the big race itself will be run on a synthetic dirt surface, newly installed at Woodbine this year called Tapeta.
Local faves are headed by AMIS GIZMO whom after an uncharacteristically poor race in the Wando Stakes earlier this year, bounced back to score authoritatively in the definitive prep race for the Queens Plate, the Plate Trial about three weeks ago.
SHAKHIMAT focused on turf racing with success in the U.S. earlier this year after being named champion two-year-old male of 2015 in Canada. He was second in the Plate Trial and his rider Emma-Jayne Wilson, the first ever Canadian female jockey to win the Queen’s Plate, will seek her second.
GAMBLE’S GHOST is from the same connections as AMIS GIZMO and suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the $500k Woodbine Oaks, the definitive race for three-year-old fillies in Canada. She will appreciate the added distance of the Queen’s Plate. Jockey Luis Contreras faced the tough decision of whom to ride, having been on board both. Patrick Husbands who won the 2014 edition of the Queen’s Plate on the filly Lexie Lou (she races in the Dance Smartly Stakes on Plate Day), picks-up the ride.
Big, eye-catching LEAVEM IN MALIBU is owned in part by Hollywood film producer Gary Barber and Conrad Farms, and trained by leading Mark Casse. His long strides and disposition suggest he will handle the Queen’s Plate distance well.
MIKE, an expensive purchase, comes highly-regarded and is rounding into form with each start.
The final entries will be known this time next week. Who is your Queen’s Plate pick?
There’s only a little bit of time left to buy your Queen’s Plate tickets. Do so here.
We expect to see you there in your best summer attire!
More details including directions, can be found here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Where has the time gone? It was a chilly day in February when we first met Princess and now we’re literally living in the Tropics! Would you believe that Princess (A PIC BY MRWILL) already is nearing her debut? More on that in a bit.
I have been making my weekly (sometimes more…) visits to see her and it is amazing seeing Princess come into her own not just as an athlete, but also an amazing young lady. Her demeanour has made her popular at the John Ross barn and I make a conscious effort to spoil her with her favourite organic rainbow carrots, peppermints and tons of playtime. She has to know by now she’s special, right? Although all credit is due to John and his amazing Team, I am humbled to be a part of this even if in a tiny capacity.
A few weeks back, Princess did her first ever interview with Media Sovereign Award winner Alex Campbell (@AXCampbell1) for the Daily Racing Form and she handled herself like such a pro! Holding myself back from being jealous, I may have caught her cuddling-up to Alex after the interview. Princess sure knows the power of good press and media manipulation. What a Celeb!
The piece has gone live and is here!
John hasn’t been his best of late, but is doing the right thing getting well and we all send him lots of love and positivity for a speedy recovery. The barn is extremely thrilled riding a high after a huge win on the weekend! Princess’ workmate and sis RAGLAN ROAD (Victor’s Cry x Glaslyn, by Forestry) crushed it in her debut Saturday at Woodbine against open company! Although Raglan is the bigger of the two, Princess has matched strides with her in the morning and people on the backstretch have been paying attention. Good things often come in pairs or threes, right? Britney and Christina. Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Wando and Mobil. With Approval and Izvestia. Dance Smartly and Wilderness Song. I’m just saying…
We also want to congratulate one of our favourites, Horse of the Year and recent Grade II Nassau Stakes victress LEXIE LOU who began her path to stardom in the John Ross barn. We are in awe how she managed to escape at 12-1 odds (!), topped only by her victory at an even bigger 17-1 odds in the 2013 Muskoka Stakes. We’re excited to see her step it up in a couple weeks as she’s likely to run in the Grade I Just a Game Stakes Belmont Stakes weekend. This is a true testament to the quality of Ontario’s breeding program with progeny of our stallions competing at a world-class level.
Fun fact: Did you know Princess was handed-down the same stall that housed both Lexie Lou and Brooklysway?
Alex, Princess + John
Raglan Road + Team Ross waving to John, watching from home
Lexie Lou
Working out the gate with her pal Sheena Ryan, Princess has been posting some real solid workouts in company.
Some of her recent works. A furlong is about 201 metres…
Some more Princessnaps:
Princess with my Parents (left) and my Aunts visiting from overseas. Their first time around a horse!
Princess training with Sheena and her sis Raglan Road, under Gary Boulanger
Special thanks to our friend, the lovely Ericka Rusnack (@ErickaRusnak) who captured this stunning shot of Princess and Sheena training with her other sis Saturday Dancer (under Steven Bahen) a few days ago!
Karl Lagerborg (@StallOfficeKarl) aka Racing’s “Uncle Karl” of the Woodbine Stall Office, brought the entire Scheduling Department to meet Princess, which she appreciated so much!
Scheduling Dept. @WoodbineRacing checking out @mrwillw horse! #greatday @WEGcares thanks Ian Ross and Martha Scott! pic.twitter.com/ZcZCKZMLLC
— Karl Lagerborg (@StallOfficeKarl) May 25, 2016
Princess being Princess
Also, Princess’ signature bangs are developing a Fan Club of their own, making her a bit of a fashion icon!! See some of her PICsies’ sweet Tweets! Thanks Bailey, Lynn and Maureen for your ‘bang-on’ support!
VIDEO: And now for a MAJOR announcement!
Princess Diaries: June 2016
Hay You! Be a PICsie too!
Follow Princess on Twitter and Instagram!
See you Saturday. Race 3. Number 6. Let’s take a PIC!
(Photo [captured on the Nikon D3300] /video [captured on the Samsung S7] credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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