The 165th King’s Plate is rapidly approaching, set to take place on August 17 at Woodbine, and excitement is building as top contenders prepare for the prestigious race. With a purse of $1 million, the King’s Plate is a crucial event for Canadian-bred three-year-olds and will be contested over a distance of 1 1/4 miles on the Tapeta surface.
Champion jockey Kazushi Kimura is making a significant return to Woodbine to ride Midnight Mascot, trained by Mark Casse. Midnight Mascot is one of the promising candidates from owners Manfred and Penny Conrad, who also have Essex Serpent, another contender in the field.
As the countdown continued, reigning champion jockey Kimura expressed enthusiasm for riding Midnight Mascot. Meanwhile, the early favourite for the race appears to be My Boy Prince, trained by Casse, who recently showcased his talent by winning the Plate Trial despite facing a challenging journey. Casse praised My Boy Prince's performance, noting that overcoming difficulties in the race added to his impressive credentials.
Although Kin's Concerto, the winner of the Woodbine Oaks, is not expected to participate in the Plate, several notable horses are set to compete, including some maiden winners and those who have shown promising performances in previous races.
With only 25 days left until the big day, the stage is set for an exciting contest as contenders finalise their preparations and vying for a coveted win in Canada’s most prestigious horse race.
Current Favourites and Key Contenders:
1. My Boy Prince (Casse) - Prepping as the favourite after winning the Plate Trial with impressive speed figures.
2. Essex Serpent (Casse) - Another strong contender coming off a Grade 3 Marine win, will be ridden by Patrick Husbands.
3. Midnight Mascot (Casse) - A key horse to watch, with Kimura set to ride after a strong finish in the Marine.
4. Friendly Ghost (Chartrand-Hoek) - A rapidly improving horse with potential, showcased by a solid third in the Trial.
As the field begins to take shape, the excitement for the King’s Plate continues to grow, setting the stage for an unforgettable race day.