It was a smashing day of racing at Woodbine Racetrack this past Saturday as North America’s most historic race, the 166th running of the King’s Plate took place, drawing a full house that witnessed MANSETTI upset the $1 million race in thrilling near wire-to-wire fashion.
What makes it even more impressive is that 20-year-old apprentice jockey Pietro Moran guided the victory for son and father duo Al & Bill Ulwelling, and Team Kevin Attard, who also won last year’s edition with filly CAITLINHERGRTNESS. Attard achieved a rare three-peat, winning three stakes on the card. It is reported that the senior Ulwelling had suffered a mild heart attack watching the race, but is now reported to be doing well. Moran, also was competing in the race with his father David, who rode eighth-place finisher WILLIAM T. It is said that this is historic first for a father and son both to be riding in the race.
Named after a Minnesota pizza shop, MANSETTI delivered for his backers with $38.70 on a $2 wager, keeping a fast-closing TOM’S MAGIC in second, with post-time favourite NOTORIOUS GANGSTER racing third. The score boosts the winner’s lifetime earnings to $689,872 in eight starts. The first runner-up is being pointed to the final jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Stakes on September 28, 2025 at Woodbine.
$17,004,451 was bet on the card, an impressive number for the extended 13-race card which featured a whopping six stake races.
Other highlights include:
SHE FEELS PRETTY winning one of the meet’s marquee races, the Grade I E.P. Taylor, making her a perfect two-for-two at Woodbine, taking the Grade I Natalma here as a two-year-old for Lael Stables and top trainer Cherie DeVaux. John Velazquez re-teamed with her for the win, which earns her a spot in this Fall’s Breeders’ Cup. The remarkable Karakontie filly now has banked over $2.2 million.
GAS ME UP was full of fuel in the Grade II King Edward for Team Kevin Attard driving up to win under Flavien Prat for owners Ex-line Border Racing, Jawl, Kennedy & Ziesler. The five-year-old son of Hard Spun is proof of iconic Sam-Son Farm‘s lasting quality in breeding.
SIMCOE dominated the Grade III Bold Venture, one of two stakes scores that day for Rafael Hernandez, riding for Chiefswood Stable and Team Katerina Vassilieva. This marks the Uncle Mo gelding’s first stakes win.
TWO OUT HERO confirms the promise showed in his impressive debut, taking the Soaring Free for Gold Square LLC and Team Kevin Attard with Hernandez up. This was his groom Elaine’s first stakes winner ever. The War Front colt is being pointed to the Grade I Summer Stakes next month, a Breeders’ Cup Win-and-You’re-In race.
CORSIA VELOCE is a perfect two-for-two, like Two Out Hero after a win in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes for
Glenn Sikura (Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm) and Mario Serrani. Fraser Aebly was aboard the filly for the win, and she is conditioned by Team Josie Carroll. The promising Practical Joke filly looks Natalma Stakes-bound next month.
Photos on this X thread.
Video highlights, including beautiful sights and sounds of the day:
There were so many amazing activations on the day, including an installation by Coolab at the Hats & Horseshoes Party for DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRANDE FINALE, in theatres September 12, 2025 via Focus Features and Universal Pictures Canada! Invited guests enjoyed a lavender-licious Downton Martini inside the Paddock Party!
… and for everyone asking, beanie and I both were styled by SHEIN. Was stopped several times throughout the day about this!
Also, don’t forget to check-out our appearance on America’s Best Racing Live! (36-minute mark):
Did you also see who was in attendance?
The second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes, runs at Fort Erie on September 4, 2025.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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