#HORSERACING: “LUSTER” DELIVERS INSPIRED PERFORMANCE IN 167TH RUNNING OF THE KING’S PLATE

It was one for the books as the brilliant LUSTER validated her heavy backing at 1-5 odds to take the 167th running of the King’s Plate, North America’s most historic horse race, at Woodbine Racetrack. Bettors were locked-in, wagering a record $1,242,081 on the race, pitting Canada’s top three-year-old horses together for a purse of $1 million at 1 1/4 miles.

LUSTER was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez who drove in from New York for the occasion, taking three races on the card. The Knicks Go filly, co-owned by Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen, dominated by 7 1/4 lengths, beating both male and female opponents. This marks trainer Josie Carroll’s third time winning the prestigious affair, and it is noted that the filly is eyeing the Grade I Queen Elizabeth Cup at Keeneland this October. The win boosted her earnings to $925k U.S.

Finishing second in the race was St. Elias Stable and Gary Barber‘s MILITARY TIME, with Paul Ryder’s FIRE AND WINE finishing third at 61-1 odds.

It was a star-studded race card with a total six stakes races contested. Highlights included:

GAS ME UP doubled-up in the Grade II King Edward for Exline-Border Racing, Jawl, Kennedy and Zwiesler. This was an exciting photo finish, but it would be jockey Fraser Aebly’s determined ride that was the deciding factor. Trainer Kevin Attard took five races on the King’s Plate card.

PROCTOR STREET garnered her first graded stakes win in the Grade II Canadian for Brendan Walsh and Owner/Breeder Patricia Moseley, with Pietro Moran up for the win. Moran, who won the King’s Plate last year aboard MANSETTI, took four wins on the card.

Ontario-bred SOUPED UP at age six, notched his first stakes score in the Grade III Bold Venture Stakes under Emma-Jayne Wilson, for Trainer Ron Sadler, and owners Linda Theil and Harri Hosein.

Kevin Attard, owners X-Men Racing and Madaket Stable took both two-year-old stakes on the card. MELONI took the Catch a Glimpse in a sizzling 1:15.6 under John Velazquez. Stablemate DE LA RENTA beat the boys in the Soaring Free in 1:17.1 under
Fraser Aebly.

Photos featured on this thread:

I present to you KING'S PLATE 2026. The thread.

LUSTER became the 40th filly to win North America's most historic horse race, winning under @ljlmvel in a brisk 2:02.1 by seven lengths. This is @jcarrollracing's third Plate and Co-Owners @Gainesway and Andrew Rosen's first! #KP26 pic.twitter.com/3xBNsaeV8R

— MR. WILL WONG 📸 (@mrwillw) August 17, 2026

Our highlight video, taking you right up-close to the action!

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Our look brought to you by SHEIN:

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A bilingual rendition of the National Anthem, performed by Country star Alli Walker:

Saturday, September 12, 2026 is Turf Champions Day at Woodbine Racetrack, headlined by the Grade I Woodbine Mile.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)