It's time to update you on the leading contenders for the prestigious King's Plate and Woodbine Oaks, the highly anticipated Canadian classics of 2024!
MY BOY PRINCE, a strong candidate for the upcoming 165th King's Plate in August, is among the 31 nominees for the Palisades Stakes at Keeneland on April 7. This exciting race is a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint. The grey colt owned by Gary Barber, who is expected to be crowned as the top Two-Year-Old in Canada at the upcoming Sovereign Awards, has recently undergone a pair of half-mile preparations at Palm Meadows, including an impressive start from the gate. Last autumn, my horse Prince emerged victorious in the 1 1/16 mile Cup & Saucer Stakes on the turf. Additionally, he performed admirably, securing a commendable third place in the prestigious Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf race.
Now that Woodbine is available for training, several horses on the CT list have completed preparations on either the Tapeta surface or the training track.
INUDATION (Collected), the victorious filly of the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, completed a swift 3-furlong breeze in 37.20 seconds under the guidance of trainer Kevin Attard. Al and Bill Ulwelling proudly own the talented racehorse. This impressive display of speed took place on March 30. This marked the third training session for the stretch-running filly, following a warm-up at WinStar Farm in Kentucky.
Naturally, any young horse on the Plate list is also a strong contender for the Woodbine Oaks, which takes place a month before the Plate.
The Ulwellings also possess JOKESTAR (Practical Joke), a talented horse who triumphed in a maiden particular weight race at 1 1/16 miles last December. This impressive equine recently showcased its skills on March 29, completing a four-furlong workout in 49 seconds on the main track.
Additionally, Attard boasts the talented filly WAR PAINTER, narrowly finishing second to Inundation in Princess Elizabeth. Notably, she displayed her impressive form during a workout on March 31, completing four furlongs in a swift time of 51.20.
NAPTOWN, trained by Graham Motion, is getting ready for his first race as a 3-year-old. Last weekend at Fair Hill in Maryland, the colt completed an impressive 6 furlongs in a time of 1:14.60.
BOBBO, the impressive victor of the Coronation Futurity at a distance of 1 1/8 miles last autumn under the guidance of Lou Tucci and trainer Sid Attard, emerges as a formidable contender for the Plate. Notably, he still needs to log training sessions.
Young female horses are currently highly notable on the CT list, and WASKESIU, the victor of the Florida Oaks (G3) on March 9 on the Tampa Bay turf, has advanced on the Plate list. The filly trained by Bill Mott, sired by American Pharoah, is a product of Chiefswood Stable's breeding program. She showcased her talent by securing an impressive victory in the Florida Oaks, covering a distance of 1 1/16 miles and earning a noteworthy Beyer Figure of 83.
BA DEE YAH, who emerged victorious in a stakes race at Fair Grounds two races ago, experienced a decline in performance in the Grade 2 Fantasy on March 30. However, she managed to achieve a commendable 76 Beyer Figure for her sixth-place position. The filly, trained by Tom Amoss, is an Uncle Mo descendant.
Order/Equine/Coach/Current Condition/Achievements:
1 My Boy Prince, trained by Mark Casse, is set to compete in the Palisades Stakes at KEE, a 5 1/2f turf race. Following that, he will be aiming for the Cup & Saucer Stakes on turf. Notably, My Boy Prince finished 3rd in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
2 Babbo - Sid Attard - not applicable - Coronation Futurity
3 Waskesiu (f)- Bill Mott – Winner of the 1st Florida Oaks – has been nominated to compete in the Appalachian at KEE on April 6
4 No More Options – Z Krcmar – 3rd Coronation Futurity
5 Piper's Factor, ridden by K. Vassilieva, did not place in two races at Gulfstream. However, the horse showed promise by finishing second in the Coronation Futurity.
6 Inundation (f) – K. Attard – employed at Woodbine – Princess Elizabeth
7 Frac Dancer, trained by M. DePaulo, emerged victorious in the Texas Glitter S. held at 5 furlongs on the Tapeta surface at GP on March 24. This impressive sprint performance solidifies Frac Dancer's status as a sprint stakes winner.
8 Naptown – G. Motion – employed at Fair Hill, – 4th Coronation
9 Kin's Concerto (f) – J. Carroll – currently stationed at Palm Meadows, eagerly anticipating a race, finished 2nd at Gulfstream
K. Attard trains 10 War Painters (female) and is currently based at Woodbine. She recently finished in 2nd place in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
11 Dazzling Move (f) – Trained by M. Trombetta – currently training in Florida – Maiden Special Weight race at Gulfstream Park
12 Ba Dee Yah (f)- T. Amoss – did not place in the Grade 3 Fantasy S. on March 30 but emerged victorious in the LeCombe Stakes
13 CC Royal (f) is currently being trained at Laurel and recently emerged as the victor at the Laurel race.
14 Arashi – G. Cox – employed at Payson Park, Florida – 2nd Cup and Saucer
15 Jokestar, trained by K. Attard, is currently working at Woodbine and has proven to be a successful winner on the route.