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)
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