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)

The v. finest in Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Racing were honoured tonight at Woodbine Racetrack, right in time for tomorrow’s 2013 Season Launch.  This year marks the 38th edition of the Awards, recognizing remarkable talent in the Industry from Breeders to Journalists to  Horses.

Winning tonight’s most prestigious Award was Champion Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding, Uncaptured, owned by Oklahoma Oilman John C. Oxley and trained by Mark Casse.   Until last week the now three-year-old Colt was seen as a major Kentucky Derby Contender and last season he won an impressive six out of seven races, including the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Cup Stakes and Grade III Iroquois Stakes back-to-back against some stiff competition in Kentucky.  His Breeder, long-time veteran and former Football Player William D. Graham  for the first time ever was awarded Breeder of the Year.

Double Winners tonight were Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Turf Female, Irish Mission, who competed effectively against the Boys last Summer, even defeating them in the third leg of Canada’s Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Stakes.  Roxy Gap, owned by  the same Man who owns the Ottawa Senators, Eugene Melnyk, won both Older Female and Female Sprinter.

23-year-old Jockey Scott Williams, also the Son of Jockey Danny Williams, was awarded Apprentice Jockey handed to him by past Winner Robbie King Jr.  And for a second year in-a-row, Luis Contreras won Jockey, with his two young Sons there to accept his Award from former Champion Sandy Hawley, causing laughter with their antics on-stage.

Trainer Mark Frostad, who trains Irish Mission, made a heartfelt plea during his Acceptance Speech, with a call to the Provincial Government to preserve and protect a Sport which for so many years has  built a History and also a substantial amount of revenue for Ontario.   Premier Kathleen Wynne has expressed  willingness to help keep Horse Racing alive in Ontario and was given due credit by him. Meanwhile, Trainer Casse also expressed great relief he and his Wife will be able to enjoy the races which have been revived at Fort Erie Racetrack this season, already planning a trip to Niagara Falls this Summer!

I had an amazing time attending my first ever Sovereign Awards tonight and must admit it was a bit surreal that a few Jockeys recognized me and knew me by first name!  An unforgettable experience being in the same room as Veterans in the spirit of this treasured Sport and also those aspiring to be in the Industry like Nastia Zemtsova, a young Woman and avid Horse Racing Fan hoping to become a Jockey, who won tickets to the Event.

Woodbine‘s 2013 Racing Season kicks-off tomorrow at 1:00 PM and runs through December 15, 2013.

Some Snaps from the Evening:

For more details on tonight’s Winners, click here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Too exciting!  Those of you who follow my Horse Racing Blog Posts will remember how passionate I was about pretty much the greatest Filly who ever existed, Zenyatta.  The Superhorse retired with a phenomenal 20 Race Record of 19-1-0, and believe me her final Race in the $5-million 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic was such a close one, giving it all her might against the Boys only to lose by a slight nose.  While we’re waiting for her Babies to make it to the Track, we have her Sister to keep us plenty interested!

If History/Genetics should repeat itself, we have every reason to be super-excited for Zenyatta‘s Half-Sister Eblouissante (her name in French means “dazzling”), who just turned four-years-old recently, running  brilliantly today at Santa Anita Park in California.  The beautiful Filly originally was to run her second race last month but unfortunately had bumped her hip the day of that Race, resulting in the decision to give her a bit more time off.

She proved she was well worth the wait today, winning with a little bit of effort as the Heavy Favourite, silencing her v. few Disbelievers.  Laying low at the back of the pack for much of the Race, she rallied late showing them who’s Boss to win by 1 1/4 lengths almost a full second quicker than in her Debut at Betfair Hollywood Park. By comparison though, Big Sister Zenyatta‘s first try at the  popular distance of 1 1/16 miles, was a four full seconds quicker back in 2007.

Trainer John Shirreffs, who also handled  Zenyatta, is hinting  a step-up in class next time out in a Stakes Race, her first real test of ability.  We soon will know just how great she truly is either mid-February or mid-March.

Watch the Race below (she’s #5):

I had the pleasure of meeting  Corey Nakatani, Jockey of Eblouissante – or just Ebby as her Fans call her – back in 2011, as he treks out to Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack a couple times a year for some of our bigger Races. Can’t wait to see him up north again this Season!

Become a Fan of Eblouissante here on Facebook!

(Photo credit: @SantaAnitaPark | Video credit: Los Angeles Times)

This breaks my heart. Woodbine‘s Pride and Joy Chantal Sutherland announced her v. sudden Retirement from Horse Racing today after an outstanding Career which saw her win the Sovereign Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in Canada twice and almost becoming the first-ever Female Jockey to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic aboard Game on Dude last year.

Sutherland‘s popularity spread also South of the Border with spreads in Vanity Fair, Vogue and more recently she starred in HBO‘s ill-fated but acclaimed Series, Luck.  She tells my dear Friend and esteemed Commentator Dawn Lupul following her final race today with mixed emotions, “In this Game you have to be all in it. There’s no half-way. I’m starting to be half-way and it doesn’t work that way.  To be on-top and to be where I wanted to be – to be winning a lot of races… you have to be six, seven days a week and very, very committed.”.

After getting married earlier this year, Sutherland now is turning her focus to relaxing and hinted that she may train for a Triathalon. Spending time with her Sister in Ottawa also is going to be a reality soon as she looks forward to watching her Nephew and Niece grow-up.

Admittedly, after watching this Interview a few times, something tells me that we haven’t seen the last of Sutherland in the Irons and perhaps after she spends time away to regroup, she just might be back? I just don’t get the sense that this is over. It has been a tough year and to see her talk about how cruel the Sport can be, is just saddening.

Horse Racing just won’t be the same without Sutherland and she will be remembered for what she’s done to pave the way for other young Women in the Sport. Although there have been and will continue to be many wonderful Female Jockeys to come, there is and always will be only one Chantal Sutherland. A remarkable Woman.

Watch her Interview below:

I had the Honour of meeting Sutherland around this time last year. Read about my Moment here.

(Photo/video credit: Woodbine Entertainment Group)

On Sunday, September 16, 2012, world famous Woodbine Racetrack will be hosting the $1-million Woodbine Mile, bringing together some of the World’s finest Turf Horses in one heart-stopping race.

Woodbine Racetrack & Mr. Will Wong would like  to invite Readers to come out and party at the Track and there will be plenty of $25 Gift Cards to go around for Readers who show up on Woodbine Mile Day! One Reader will get to join Mr. Will up in the VIP Lounge for an afternoon of races, tons of Food and Drinks.  Entrants must be of 19 years of age and provide their own transportation.

For more details on the Woodbine Mile and how to get to Woodbine (easily accessible by TTC or car), click here.

Simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook to qualify before Wednesday, September 12, 2012.  See you there!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)