Holy Helena Runs Away with the Queen's Plate

Holy Helena made sure that owner and breeder Frank Stronach didn’t have to wait long for another Queen’s Plate win as she took over at the top of the stretch and drew away to score an easy win in the 158th edition of the $1,000,000 Queen's Plate.

From the start, it was State of Honor grabbing the early lead with Megagray never far behind. Holy Helena, never worse than fifth, was always well placed. State of Honor was the first to buckle under the pressure as Megagray took a brief lead on the turn for home but Holy Helena, who entered off of a victory in the Woodbine Oaks, made her 2-1 odds look like a gift as she pulled away in the stretch for an easy three and a half length win over Tiz a Slam.

This was the fourth Queen’s Plate score for Stronach Stables following Shaman Ghost in 2015, Awesome Again in 1997, and Basqueian in 1994. Holy Helena became the 36th filly to win this race, the longest continuously-run stakes in North America.

Sired by Ghostzapper, a U.S. Horse of the Year and Racing Hall of Famer, Holy Helena was bred in Ontario at Adena Springs. Stronach raced both Ghostzapper and the Holy Bull mare Holy Grace, the dam of Holy Helena.

“I think she is a very good horse,” said Stronach, of Holy Helena. “I put a lot of effort in, a lot of time in and naturally I can put all the money in and do everything great, but you still need some luck.” As for a run in the second leg of the Candian Triple Crown, Stronach said it was doubtful they would go to Fort Erie.

As the gates sprung open it was State of Honor who seized the lead early, Megagray also showed interest early as these race the first half mile in 48.67. The race favorite, Holy Helena, under jockey Luis Contreras, was up close in fourth place about three lengths back of the early leader. 

State of Honor gave way to Megagray after a mile in 1:37.64 but Holy Helena, who moved to third around the turn, was making up ground with every stride. Just as Megagray took over from State of Honor at the top of the stretch, Holy Helena quickly moved to the outside of Megagray and passed him as she found another gear, leaving no doubt who the best horse was today.

Tiz a Slam closed from seventh to finish a clear second over the other filly entered in the race, Inflexibility. Channel Maker edged Megagray for fourth. Spirit of Caledon, King and His Court, State of Honor, Aurora Way, Guy Caballero, Malibu Secret, Watch Me Strut, and Vaughan, completed the order of finish. 

“I got a dream trip, really,” said Contreras beaming afterwards. “She broke really good. She gave me a lot of time to see the horses outside of me, what they are going to do, what they are trying to do. She was so nice and relaxed behind those horses and I had a lot of horse at the 3/8th (pole), so I took a look back to see where everybody was. I waited for the [final] quarter pole to run.”

Holy Helena rewarded her backers by paying $6.30, $4.10, and $3.10. Tiz a Slam paid $7.20 and $5.10 to place. Inflexibility paid $4.90 to show. Final time for the mile and one quarter was 2:02.87.

With the win today Holy Helena improved her record to three wins in four starts. Her lone loss being a second place finish in her debut last April. Her earnings skyrocketed to over $850,000 thanks to today's win. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens indicated after the race that Holy Helena will point to the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga run later this summer.

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