It’s been a while since we’ve posted a Princess Diary, but on behalf of our dear filly A PIC BY MRWILL, we’d love to wish a Happy Holiday to you and your loved ones!

Princess along with her stablemates from the barn of John Ross, has been wintering out in Flamborough, Ontario under the amazing care of Miss Tasha and Mr. Clayton (seen below). It was a fantastic year for the Team who not only won the prestigious Prince of Wales Stakes with Cool Catomine, but nabbed also the top two-year-old race in Canada, the Coronation Futurity with Aheadbyacentury (also seen below). The latter is Florida-bound as he prepares for his Queen’s Plate Trail in 2018!

While Princess wintered in Florida last winter, she remains on stall rest healing from her injury and will be staying here until her training resumes in a couple months. She continues to grow and seemed well-adjusted, watching over her stablemates as the queen of her predominantly-male barn.

2017 was an amazing year where we not only saw Princess break through for the first time in a route race, but also great consistency from her bringing home a cheque six out of eight races!

Let’s re-live that special day in August again!

We’re excited to see Princess thrive in 2018 now that she finally is getting what this game is all about! We don’t believe she’s turning four already, which is like 20 in human years. Soon she’ll be a Woman!

Billy and I popped by along with some of our special friends to surprise her today with some festive cheer! She even got a new Teddy to snuggle with since she misses her Woodbine Teddy! 🐻 She missed Billy so much, showering him with kisses.

See some Snaps from today:

No matter where you are, may you be surrounded with love this Holiday. To all your wishes coming true in 2018!

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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong | Video: Woodbine Entertainment Group)

Another year of phenomenal racing has concluded in Ontario and while we have been a fan of the races for many years, 2017 stands out among all the others. This would be the year that reigning leading Trainer Mark Casse was surpassed by Norm McKnight in win standings and while the latter didn’t have any stake wins in that total, this is a sign of change and mobility on the circuit. We are seeing up-and-coming names like Denyse McClachrie, Martin Drexler and Tony Gattelaro make their presence known, the former two landing in the year-end Top Ten standings at Woodbine. Also more than ever, females – equine and human – are front and center in the sport.

The caliber of horses in Ontario has never been stronger. While undisputed Woodbine star PINK LLOYD had a flawless seven-race stakes win streak in 2017, there were many other heroes who rose. Some used racing at Woodbine as a springboard to success abroad whether it be on the track or in the sales ring where they’d begin the next stage of their careers in the breeding shed. Need we mention the likes of Tepin, Quidura, River Maid, Catch a Glimpse, Mississippi Delta, Crowley’s Law, Dacita, Moonlight Sky and Enstone, all Woodbine-raced and selling for a substantial sum at the November Sales in Kentucky?

Fillies and mares shined and among them fittingly-named WONDER GADOT, a namesake of Actress Gal Gadot and her revered Wonder Woman role, would perform well at the Breeders’ Cup en route to a victory in the Grade II Demoiselle at Aqueduct. Her two-year-old filly stablemates WIN THE WAR and ROAD TO VICTORY also would turn heads with flashy stakes scores, the latter winning the Grade II Golden Rod at Churchill Downs.

Trainers Josie Carroll, Barb Minshall and Catherine Day Phillips also had so much talent among their trainees that the Sovereign Awards honouring Canada’s best in Horse Racing, will prove rather tough for voters. Carroll‘s AMI’S MESA would make us proud almost taking home the top prize in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint under Luis Contreras but stablemates MOONLIT PROMISE and GAMBLE’S GHOST also would find stakes success this year, the former going undefeated in 2017. Day Phillips had a superb year with several stars in her barn like Mr. Havercamp, Financial Recovery and Guy Caballero, but her DIXIE MOON would crush the boys in the important Cup and Saucer Stakes before faring respectably at the Breeders’ Cup, having just enough left to win the Ontario Lassie late in the year. Watch out for the immensely-fast GRACE AND DIGNITY, one of the quickest fillies we’ve seen here in years who’s knocking on the door of greatness. We also cannot forget Barb Minshall’s stellar two-year-olds ADMIRALTY PIER and DREAM IT IS, the outstanding Shackleford filly who slayed the competition at Saratoga in the Grade III Schuylerville this summer. The runner-up in that race went on to perform well in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

The Queen’s Plate is confirmed for Saturday, June 30, 2018 with Country Star Brad Paisley set to take the stage the night before at Woodbine. The historic race looks a wide open affair at this point with several making a case for their potential including John Ross and Jack of Hearts Racing’s Coronation Futurity winner AHEADBYACENTURY (named after The Tragically Hip hit). Ken & Sarah Ramsey’s HEMP HEMP HURRAY fared well in the Grade I Summer Stakes at Woodbine and has yet to run on anything but grass.  His connections certainly know how to win the race having taken the 2016 edition with Sir Dudley Digges.

SILENT STING also just nabbed the Kingarvie Stakes for Sid Attard and Stronach Stables, the latter of course scoring a 2017 Woodbine Oaks-Plate double with exceptional filly HOLY HELENA. Any other year she would be a cinch for Horse of the Year if it weren’t for an exceptional year.

Chiefswood Stables’ PIPERS WARRIOR seems to be improving into an athlete of note for Trainer Mike DePaulo. FLAMEAWAY found success at Saratoga also in the Skidmore Stakes for Mark Casse and comes into 2018 with a real shot at Plate glory with stablemates NEEPAWA and ROSE’S VISION, the latter two owned also by Chiefswood Stables.

Iconic Sam-Son Farms have a couple interesting possibilities with talented two-year-olds, the blue-blooded Tapit colt STRIKE ME DOWN who is based in the U.S. and also promising gelding KITTEN’S BOY.

2017 was a year of many emotions. These are my top moments in Ontario Thoroughbred Racing seen through my lens.

See you 2018? Happy Holidays!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong | Audio: Sony Music Entertainment)

Is this real life?  Even a couple days after witnessing our dear PRINCESS’ (A PIC BY MRWILL) big breakthrough win, here we find ourselves still on cloud nine! Maiden no more!

We couldn’t believe our eyes as we tried multitasking cheering and snapping pics of her as she grinded her way home under amazing Luis Contreras in her first race ever race at 1 1/16 miles. Princess fought bravely to surge ahead of expensively-bred Mark Casse trainee Cosmic Ruby and Patrick Husbands.  This is one moment we’ll remember forever… unless we go senile!

Who would’ve thought after success sprinting, she’d throw a curve ball revealing that her hidden talent is running long? Okay, we know the race could have been run faster, but still. A win’s a win!

People were asking why I didn’t snap one of my signature Selfies with Princess in the Winner’s Circle and my answer simply is that I was so overcome with joy. I was ready for it, but so not!  Me forgetting to snap a Selfie for once in a my life. Imagine that! LOL

  There’s always next time right? She looks like she’s got a win or two left in her.

The overwhelming support we’ve received for Princess is humbling and we’re touched by all your messages and notes of congratulations. None of this would have been possible without the generosity and hard work of Team John Ross and Cathy Wong!

Princess and I have read every single Tweet and comment and we are so appreciative. We also want to thank all the patient bettors who keep making her the race favourite at post time. We’re so happy they finally got their reward. We’ve certainly burned enough of their money, right?

Come, let’s watch the race again.  Can you hear those loud shrieks as she crosses the finish line??!

While the tone of the day was celebratory on Sunday afternoon, it would prove bittersweet fittingly for our tough-luck Princess.  As you might remember, she has overcome quite a bit to be here today including battling for her life when just a yearling due to a persistent sinus infection requiring multiple operations. Above this, repeatedly she has found herself in against tough types, several who have either gone on to step-up and win at the Allowance level or gain Black Type in stakes races. She was always right there with them, just missing that punch that made her run past them. That was yesterday.

We are sad to report that Princess will be out for the rest of the season due to an injury. The silver lining is that she can be treated with some stall rest for a few months. We didn’t want to take away from the moment, but felt the timing was a bit better now to be transparent.

John & Cathy have issued the following statement to all her fans:

“We want to say thanks for all the support. It was fun to see Princess progress throughout the year and that she finally got it done! Being named after Mr. Will made it doubly-fun and we can’t wait to see her back next year. She is one tough filly and has overcome many obstacles up till today.  We always believed in her that is why we gave her the best care. She will be well cared for in her time off.”.

Our thoughts are with dear Princess on her path to wellness again and she is receiving the best care possible under Dr. Daryl Bonder of Toronto Equine Hospital, resting comfortably in her cast. We wanted so bad to celebrate with her following her win and were heartbroken we couldn’t even give her a treat to tell her she did a great job, but we promise to see her tomorrow with plenty of her favourite Fuji apples to make up for it!

While we were fine most of the afternoon, both Cathy (Princess‘ mom) and I head home when the emotions began to hit. One, we are touched how hard she has fought all year for us, but also terribly saddened how this filly can’t have it easy just for once. Her first big celebratory moment just had to be marred by a bit of tragedy.  She is our little fighter and we are moved to tears by her courage and desire to be better.  If you think she’s improved a lot at age three, just wait till you see her next year. We even have an inkling that dirt, on which she has trained so well without incident, might be better for her than Tapeta.

She’s finally getting what it’s all about!

See a slideshow of Princess’ victory (hover left and right to navigate) and our heartfelt note of gratitude below:

A note from Goddad (@mrwillwong): I will never forget today! Thank you Princess, Team John Ross (Errol M., Giovanni, Orlando, Wesley, Katy, Errol F. and Basil) and Cathy Wong, Keith Reid, Luis Contreras and all our friends and family who have cheered and continue to cheer us on! Thank you also to all the riders along the way who have given Princess an invaluable education: Emma-Jayne Wilson, Joshua Scott, Sheena Ryan, Steven Bahen and Eurico Da Silva. This filly and I are bonded by so much more than name. We might both be late bloomers, but once we get rolling, we are unstoppable! The fact that Princess has been the betting favourite so many times in her hard-knocking career speaks volumes to how well she is loved! While it is bittersweet we won’t be seeing her back at the races till next year, I will treasure today forever and am so deeply touched how tough she has fought for all of us. Humbled by all of this. I will never stop believing in the power of love and humanity. ❤ Additional photos by Emily Shields and Julie Wright.

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Aug 27, 2017 at 4:42pm PDT

Victory! 👑

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Aug 27, 2017 at 11:07am PDT

We appreciate so much your love and support and are confident our girl will be fit to fight next spring!  Thank you ‘priends’!

Stay in touch with Princess on Social Media as she recovers:

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Twitter: @apicbymrwill

Instagram: @apicbymrwill

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Emily Shields/Julie Wright)

We couldn’t enough of Princess (A PIC BY MRWILL) in July and neither could the bettors! After two solid runner-up efforts in her last two starts as the prohibitive favourite last month at Woodbine, Princess returns after a quick freshening in her on-going quest for that first victory. We’re so close. So, so close!

See Princess’ last race on Wednesday, July 26th:

Our girl is back this Sunday, Race 1 at 1:00 PM, although we had hoped to run a bit sooner. Some unforeseen race scheduling delays held us back but she is up and running finally! One thing’s different this time though. In this her eleventh trip to the post, she tries a route race for the first time ever after finding success, hitting the money in 4 out of 7 starts in sprint races this season.

Princess’ Papa, John Ross tells us she’s been coming back from each of her starts with plenty left in the tank which gives us every indication she will prefer some added ground versus being hustled quick at shorter distances.  Her tall, lean stature also suggests she just may have a bit of stamina in her. We even did a bit of research on her Dosage Index which totals 2.50, suggesting she might thrive at longer distances.  Horses with higher Dosage Indexes tend to trend towards shorter distances, while lower Dosage Indexes tend to indicate more stamina. We’re beginning to wonder why we haven’t tried a long race sooner!

What a beautiful morning to gallop, willie was the perfect ride to start the day, 2 turns on this horse is the best feeling, it’s like something you can only dream about!!!

A post shared by Keith Reid (@kgr_showjumping) on Aug 14, 2017 at 10:27am PDT

In all, Princess’ bankroll keeps building, already having earned five times her purchase price at the 2015 September CTHS Sale and she will continue to add to it again soon!  We’re totally with you in that Princess’ first win has taken longer than expected, but how can we be disappointed when she keeps showing true grit?

The Ross barn still is riding the high of their huge score in the $500k Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, the second jewel in Canada’s Triple Crown, with the amazing COOL CATOMINE.  We’ve known from the start he’s something special and we’ve got the receipts to prove it! He’ll bounce back soon from his Breeders’ Stakes experiment. 1 1/2 miles on the turf isn’t for everyone.

Also, pay attention to Princess’ promising young stablemate AHEADBYACENTURY, named after that popular The Tragically Hip tune.  He just finished a strong third in his debut with stakes company in the Clarendon Stakes earlier this month.

See you all Sunday! Will this be our Maiden Queen’s big day? We’ll find out at 1:00 PM! If we’re victorious, you’re coming into the Winner’s Circle with us!! Don’t forget to check out RIBFEST at Woodbine too this weekend! Mmmm.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong/Woodbine Entertainment Group)

Okay, we initially were to take a little break, but this Princess is just too fit! That’s right – she’s back again this Wednesday night at Woodbine after a fantastic effort in her last race Friday, July 14, 2017. Purchased originally for $5k, she already has more than quadrupled her purchase price in earnings at the track.

In that last start, our girl A Pic by Mrwill went off as the post-time favourite and while she was kept-in on the rail we were plenty pleased with her performance as she was game to the finish never giving-up! Princess ran second to a deserving winner in Victorian Lass whom after trying for three seasons, broke her maiden under our friend Steven Bahen.  Bahen as you remember, piloted Princess to a couple solid efforts earlier this season. The irony!  But that’s Horse Racing for you!

While we will be honest that we had a bit of concern with Princess heading into her seventh start already this season, her third start in July, we place our full trust in Team John Ross.  All the signs say she is ready to fight again and in this her first race in the evening, we’re excited to see how she will fare. She’s never been more driven!

Jockey Luis Contreras had nothing but praise for Princess after that last race, confident he will get her to the Winner’s Circle and he returns yet again after a fantastic ride!

Let’s watch her last race:

Team P!

See you Wednesday night, race 7, number 3 (9:39 PM EST).

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Surprise!  We’re back again with Princess!  We know it’s short notice, but the right race popped-up and we couldn’t wait!

If you’re free after work Friday, Woodbine now has Twilight Racing on Friday nights starting at 3:45 PM.  Grab a drink on the patio at Champions‘ hot new GRANDSTAND SOCIAL, come out and cheer on our sweetheart A PIC BY MRWILL! 💞

We admit it, we were all a bit baffled and disappointed by her performance on Plate Day and we know how many of you were there to cheer her on too! The plus side is she came out of the race in great shape, not in the least bit exhausted.

Worry not, it’s a new day and our girl has been training well under her new exercise rider Keith Reid.  Keith says his morning gallops with Princess are his “favourite part of the day”! Aww!

My favourite part of the day is when I take willie out for her morning gallop ❤️

A post shared by Keith Reid (@kgr_showjumping) on Jul 10, 2017 at 5:12am PDT

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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It may have been the 158th running of the Queen’s Plate but believe me, it never gets old! While #Canada150 and long weekend were very much on people’s minds this past weekend, that didn’t stop a huge crowd from filling up the Woodbine Racetrack grandstand trackside all the way up to the fourth floor. Known as the longest-running annual horse race in North America, the race now featured in a two-day long Festival is a huge annual draw deep in history and culture. Headlining the two days of concerts this year were Canada’s Our Lady Peace on the Saturday and Goo Goo Dolls on the Sunday. Fun fact: did you known OLP frontman Raine Maida is Sovereign Award-winning Trainer Barb Minshall‘s nephew?  We didn’t know that until recently when that came-up in a conversation.  Cool, right?

We had the pleasure of being Woodbine‘s first ever Facebook Live Queen’s Plate Co-Host along with our new friend Jen Kirsch, influencer and relationship writer, checking-in on the fun and fashion with guests from the Hats & Horseshoes Party, presented by Stella Artois. We loved the eclectic range of outfits, many patriotic and #Canada150-themed and many nodding another era.

Cast members of The Real Housewives of Toronto, fashion icon Jeanne Beker, Goo Goo Dolls, hosts of CTV’s The Social and Rachael Ancheril of Rookie Blue were in attendance. We’re pretty sure you’ve seen the fashion spots on Woodbine‘s website leading-up to the Queen’s Plate right? Those were actually directed by the latter.

Frank Stronach and his Adena Springs team have been a major force now for many years in the sport and this was the case in the day’s marquee race, the $1-million Queen’s Plate taken in dominant fashion by his superfilly Holy Helena. Ridden by Luis Contreras and trained by U.S.-based James Jerkens, she won the race as the post-time favourite and we hear that she is being pointed to the prestigious Alabama Stakes at Saratoga where she will face the top three-year-old fillies in North America. She just may make one more start in Canada to qualify for a Sovereign Award as she has made just two starts in her native country in a brief but v. illustrious career!

Watch the race:

Other major winners Queen’s Plate Festival weekend included Russell Brand character namesake Aldous Snow (Singspiel Stakes), Financial Recovery (Ontario Damsel Stakes), Melmich (Dominion Day Stakes), Green Mask (Highlander Stakes), Yorkton (Charlie Barley Stakes), Go Bro (King Edward Stakes) and a rare dead-heat between Rainha da Bateria and Starship Jubilee (Dance Smartly Stakes).

See our Snaps:

Jen Kirsch + I

Holy Helena, her groom Denzil + Frank Stronach

Queen’s Plate heroine Holy Helena + I

A Holy Helena cupcake (courtesy of Hayley Morrison)

The adorable Contreras Family (family of Queen’s Plate-winning jockey Luis)

Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell + Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson

Rainha da Bateria + Starship Jubilee, your Dance Smartly Stakes victresses

Catherine Day Phillips (and family), winning Trainer of Ontario Damsel Stakes victress Financial Recovery

Yorkton, winner of the Charlie Barley Stakes

Woodbine‘s Dawn Lupul

Aldous Snow, winner of the Singspiel Stakes… a third time!

Green Mask, winner of the Highlander Stakes

Melmich, winner of the Dominion Day Handicap. His co-owner Cory Hoffman (front right) is the father of fellow Film Writer Matt Hoffman.

Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida

We loved meeting our VIP Paddock Party winners Maria + Brett (fourth down). Some Queen’s Plate Fashion 👒🎩:

Woodbine Handicapper Jim Bannon and former Woodbine announcer Dan Loiselle. Legends.

The official Queen’s Plate cocktail, the Blue Diamond 💎

Full House 🏠

The rain would not prevail!

While we were pretty much everywhere on Queen’s Plate Day, we loved seeing the faces of friends, new and old. If you couldn’t make it out this year, we hope to see you at the races this season as it goes till December!  Beginning Friday nights in July, Woodbine will host a patio party called the Grandstand Social on the third floor at Champions.

All I Do is Win ✔

Everyone needs a selfie with the soon-to-be-iconic “ALL I DO IS WIN” neon sign which will be there!

See you there! 🖐

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

Victory is so close, we can almost taste it!  After a smashing effort from Princess on June 11th on Woodbine Oaks Day, our girl is back again of all days, Queen’s Plate Day!  What a dream! We know this much, our girl sure loves an audience.  We’re so excited we can’t even function!

What are we going to wear?!

In her previous race, Princess was paired for the first time ever with Woodbine‘s leading rider Eurico Rosa Da Silva and despite traffic issues in the stretch resulting in a lengthy claim of foul, our darling ran a game third, losing only by a length to Kentucky-bred Lady Brie.  That one since has stepped-up to Allowance-level company, a narrow second last weekend!

What thrilled us most is that Princess never gave up and kept fighting to the finish in that return to the main track after an okay effort on the wet turf the time before. She heard your cheers!  This last effort very much is reminiscent of her second 2017 start where she showed that same fire. 🔥

Eurico adores Princess and tells us that she was perfect that day, doing everything right.  He knew right away he wanted to be on her again for this next start. He’s confident Princess is on her way to a win. We’re so honoured and what better validation than that?

Grab some popcorn, let’s watch the race again!🍿

If we could compare Princess mentally to where she was last year, she still is the same sweet girl but we love that she’s so much more vocal and confident.

Her effortless workout this week under Joshua Scott speaks volumes! This girl is ready.

Nothing’s gonna stop us now. 💥

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 26, 2017 at 9:00am PDT

Thank you @ShemarFMoore for the love and luck! Love, your ‘Babygirl’ Princess. p.s. I love brown sugar cubes! 💋

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 8, 2017 at 4:23pm PDT

KJ Apa (Riverdale):

OMG. I LOVE #KJApa of #Riverdale!! He heard I was running on #QueensPlate Day! 😍 #qp17

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 28, 2017 at 3:33pm PDT

Happy Pride! 🌈 #Pride #PrideToronto

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 25, 2017 at 2:25pm PDT

Thinking about #CanadaDay weekend, the wonderful country I live in… and all the yummy bonuses I get as an Ontario-bred. 🍁

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 27, 2017 at 10:18am PDT

Got my #QueensPlate outfit ready. Will I see you Sunday? 👑 Race 11, #7 (6:25 PM EST) #QP17

A post shared by Princess 🍎 (@apicbymrwill) on Jun 28, 2017 at 3:40pm PDT

See you all Queen’s Plate weekend and good luck!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

It’s our favourite event of the summer! The Queen’s Plate is back and bigger than ever, expanded now to a two-day festival taking place Saturday, July 1–Sunday, June 2, 2017 at Woodbine Racetrack!

Tickets for the festival Sunday grant you access to concerts by this year’s headliners, Our Lady Peace (Saturday) and Goo Goo Dolls (Sunday).

In addition to being North America’s most historic horse race, now in its 158th edition, featuring the finest three-year-old horses in Canada, the Queen’s Plate Festival features plenty of fun, fashion, food and drink. You must experience its signature cocktail, the Blue Diamond!

Courtesy of Vaughan Mills, the best-dressed will have a chance to win a $1,000 gift card at the Fashion at the Races contest.

There also will be lots of fun giveaways  throughout the weekend… but only if you are there!

Attendees also will get their first bet free! Don’t forget to download Woodbine‘s official app to qualify! More here.

You must not forget to walk the Red Carpet for a photo op.

Stay connected with the hashtag #QP17!

How about some fashion inspiration?

We want to give our Toronto readers a special opportunity to win special VIP Paddock Party passes, which include access to a private trackside viewing area, light snacks, drinks and access to a premium viewing area of the concerts! You must be 19 years of age to enter.

To enter to win, we need you to do the following.

1. Click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK.

2. Click “like” this Post on our Instagram account too and tell us which #QP17 Contender you think will win at: @mrwillwong

3. Tag as many friends as you wish on this Instagram Post in the comments section whom you wish you could bring to the Queen’s Plate Festival!

To qualify, you must be following Woodbine on
Instagram.

View this year’s Queen’s Plate Contenders, including race favourite and Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser winner HOLY HELENA, a filly facing the boys! Hover cursor over left and right to navigate the slideshow:

We’ve got a pair of tickets to the #QueensPlate VIP Paddock Party at @WoodbineRacing Saturday, July 1-Sunday, July 2, 2017! Could they be yours? Tickets include an exclusive race-viewing area, premium spots to see festival headliners #OurLadyPeace and #GooGooDolls, light snacks and drinks! This is the party of the summer, filled with fashion, history and fun! 🔥 To qualify for the #win, “like” this Post and tell us in the comments who your pick is to win the big race. Swipe left to see the #QP17 Contenders. Tag as many friends you wish you could bring under the comments! You will be responsible for your own transportation and must be 19 years of age or older. We’ll see you there, queens and kings! 👑 #BETWOODBINE #CONTEST #TORONTO #PARTY #GIVEAWAY #QP #HORSERACING #WOODBINE #THE6ix

A post shared by Mr. Will Wong 📸 (@mrwillwong) on Jun 24, 2017 at 8:31am PDT

Who’s your Queen’s Plate pick?

We hear another special filly will be racing Queen’s Plate weekend. We wonder who…. 😉

Learn more about the Queen’s Plate Festival here.

(Photo credit: Woodbine Entertainment Group/Mr. Will Wong)

There have been many successful experiments in history. Some things pair better than others.

Coffee and cream. Pizza and wings. Peanut butter and jelly. Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

Princess and the turf?  Well… our A Pic by Mrwill‘s turf pairing on Victoria Day wasn’t at that level of magical, but it also wasn’t all too bad either finishing just four lengths behind the winner on the damp grass! We congratulate our friend Rachel Halden and Chiefswood Stables who were behind the race winner, Niigon’s Bay. Facing older horses for the first time, Princess did her best and at one point looked like she was gonna take the lead at the top of the stretch, although ultimately we think her forté still is the main track at Woodbine. We appreciate so much the support of the fans and betting public who bet her down from 24 to 1 all the way down to 5 to 1 odds!

We cannot thank enough also the amazing Steven Bahen for the wonderful work he’s done with Princess in her three 2017 starts to date. She has improved leaps and bounds and we credit him so much for all his expertise.

An opportunity has surfaced for Princess to be paired in her next start with Woodbine‘s leading rider Eurico Rosa da Silva and we are incredibly honoured that he has accepted the mission! He has been the pilot on two out of three of the fillies who’ve beat us this year, Gertie T and Fresh Princess, and hopefully he will have that magic touch that gets Princess her much-deserved first win! Wishful thinking right?  We can’t wait to see Princess learn under Eurico (below) whom we love both as a person and an athlete! If Princess can repeat her last superb effort on the Tapeta, these girls better look out!

Princess makes her next start on Sunday’s marquee Woodbine Oaks card, cutting back to six furlongs in a Maiden Special Weight on the Tapeta surface. We expect her to move forward as many times is the case with horses who are coming off a grass race and back over to the main track.

In the meantime, our big girl has been applying herself in the mornings including a superb work under her exercise rider Joshua Scott in 48.8 seconds breezing four furlongs June 1st.  She also has been making time for her fans being the wonderful ambassador she is.  Her big fans Goki and Keisha had the chance to meet her last week finally and she was delighted, chomping away on her fave Fuji apples, while coming up for a breath now and then to greet them.  Special thanks to Tony and Sat at Woodbine who made it all possible. You guys are amazing!

See some Snaps including moments with one of Princess’ Hotwalkers Elena and Aunties Suzie & Linda:

We are so eager for Princess‘ next start and hope you are too! It is one of the best cards of the season with Queen’s Plate contenders solidifying their spots for North American horse racing’s most historic day Sunday, July 2, 2017.

Princess and I just did an interview with Alex Campbell for Canadian Thoroughbred magazine and can’t wait for you to see it…

Stay tuned.

See you Sunday! In the words of Eurico, “good luck to everybody!”. Race 5, #6.

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(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)