Triple Crown: Canadian Style
The Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing in the United States concluded last month on June 7th, but exactly one month and one day later, our great friends to the north in Canada are revved up for their own exciting Triple Crown run, which commences on Sunday with the 155th Queen's Plate at Woodbine in Toronto, Ontario. The first jewel in the three-race series is the longest continuously run stakes race in North America. The Plate will be followed in succession by the Prince Of Wales Stakes and Breeders' Stakes.
Although the Queen's Plate was first run in 1860, and the next two legs in 1929 and 1889 respectively, the Canadian Triple Crown wasn't established until 1959.
In the United States, the Kentucky Derby saw its first running in 1875, however, the Preakness and Belmont have a bit more seniority having been run since 1873 and 1867 respectively. In 1930, Daily Racing Form writer Charles Hatton was credited with coining the term 'Triple Crown', but research indicates the three races were referred to by that name at least as early as 1923.
The Triple Crown in the both countries have similarities, such as distances, but are vastly different in many other aspects, such as number of winners, grading system, venues, spacing, purse structure and surfaces. Let's break it down for a closer look.
American Triple Crown: 11 Winners
Last Triple Crown : 1978 Affirmed
Kentucky Derby(Grade 1): Run at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Distance: 1 1/4 Miles. Purse Value: $2,000,000
Preakness Stakes(Grade 1): Run at Pimlico Racecourse 2 weeks after the Derby. Distance 1 3/16 Miles. Purse Value: $1,500,000
Belmont Stakes(Grade 1): Run at Belmont Park 3 weeks after the Preakness. Distance: 1 1/2 Miles. Purse Value: $1,500,000
NOTE: All the races contested over dirt surfaces.
Canadian Triple Crown: 7 winners
Last Triple Crown: 2003 Wando
Queen's Plate (Restricted to Canadian-breds): Run at Woodbine Racetrack in late June or early July. Distance: 1 1/4 Miles. Purse Value: $1,000,000
Prince Of Wales Stakes (Restricted to Canadian-breds): Run at Fort Erie Racetrack 3 weeks after the Queens' Plate. Distance: 1 3/16 Miles. Purse Value: $500,000
Breeders' Stakes (Restricted to Canadian-breds): Run at Woodbine Racetrack 3 weeks after Prince Of Wales. Distance: 1 1/2 Miles. Purse Value: $500,000
NOTE: The Canadian Triple Crown is contested over three different racing surfaces. The Queen's Plate is run on polytrack, the Prince Of Wales on dirt and the Breeders' Stakes on turf.
Americans see 3 races in a five week span, while Canadians witness 3 races over a six week period. Doesn't matter what side of the border, the triad of races are grueling, and will tax an equine to its limits. It takes an athletic, durable, able-bodied and versatile horse to triumph in all three races and become a Triple Crown Champion. And here in the United States, we know that all too well.
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Here is my assessment of the 2014 Queen's Plate:
PP--HORSE/Jockey/Trainer
1--CAP IN HAND/Bahen/S.Attard--In his only start as a juvenile, this colt debuted last December at the maiden claiming level where he was haltered for 25k. After two races this year, colt was cycling up nicely in the speed figure department, but the number plummeted on the initial stretch out last race where he was well beaten in an even effort. Not a promising sign heading into a major race.
2--COLTIMUS PRIME/Campbell/Nixon--Spent some brief time, albeit unsuccessfully, on the U.S. Triple Crown trail, before returning to Woodbine to prepare for this spot. Is in excellent form and enters off a nice 9 furlong allowance score.
3--ATHENIAN GUARD/Moreno/DePaulo--Appears okay after a bizarre incident last race where he lugged in badly in upper stretch, unseating his rider and scattering his rivals about. Not sure what he gained from that outing, but hopefully, he can maneuver a straight course in this extensive field.
4--ASSERTING BEAR/Kruse/Baker--Won the country's top juvenile race (Coronation Futurity) last fall, then performed admirably when dabbling on the Kentucky Derby trail during the spring. A point of reference is the 2-length loss in the Spiral Stakes. The winner of that event is thefavorite for this race. Last out in the Marine, he crossed the wire first, but interfering with a rival dq'd him.
5--MAN O’ BEAR/Wilson/Baker--Needed his last race in the Plate Trial after having been put away last fall following his third place effort in the Coronation Futurity. Colt has shown competitiveness in all six races.
6--WE MISS ARTIE/Castellano/Pletcher--Is the only multiple graded stakes winner in the field (Breeders' Futurity-Spiral Stakes) and the only runner in this lineup to have already traveled 10 furlongs. Tuned up nicely with an efficient win in the Plate Trial. Connections have been eyeing the Plate as the top prize for this colt. Trainer was successful winning this event back in 1998.
7--MAJESTIC SUNSET/Boulanger/Casse--Despite his credible runner-up showing in the Plate Trial last out, as well as in Canada's top juvenile race last fall, he's still a maiden who has now failed in 9 races thus far.
8--LIONS BAY/Moran/J.Attard--Lightly raced with three starts, this improving colt made his initial two-turn affair a winning one last month. He's still learning the game which puts him behind the "eight-ball" in regards to experience against most of the major players.
9--HEART TO HEART/DaSilva/Lynch--His two wins have come by big margins, and both have been the result of front-running scores against open company. One sprinting(poly), the other going long(turf). Beaten less than 2 lengths last out in the 9F Marine Stakes, and was in need of the race conditioning wise after being away for six weeks.
10--MATADOR/Leparoux/Casse--This colt makes his sixth start of the year, and should find Canadian-breds a better fit class wise after being overmatched in graded stakes on the American Derby trail during the winter/spring. Breakthrough performance over the poly surface last race.
11-ONE DESTINY/Stein/Fehr--Tough assignment for this maiden only winner who gives up experience and seasoning having made his career debut in April.
12--TOWER OF TEXAS/Velazquez/Attfield--Dawdling pace of the Plate Trial hindered this stretch runner. Impressive run in the Marine against open company when fourth beaten a length. Bred for the distance being a son of a Kentucky Derby winner. Johnny V takes the call for a trainer who seeks his record ninth Plate victory.
13--NIIGON EXPRESS/Olguin/P.Attard--Consistency is his game, having been in-the-money five out of six times. Only blemish came in a dull effort in a tough allowance race at Keeneland first time out in '14. Was a beaten favorite last outing. The running line from that race stated: "steadied upper stretch". That was self induced trouble as this colt lugged in. Goes 2nd time Lasix here.
14--LEXIE LOU/Husbands/Casse--Never count out Oaks winning fillies in this event, as they have gone on to win the Plate seven times. Winner of this year's Woodbine Oaks went in faster time than the boys in the Plate Trail. Overall record, coupled with her manner of victory last out makes her a major threat.
15--AMI’S HOLIDAY/Contreras/Carroll--Bumping incident last out in the Marine Stakes prevented this colt from winning. Solid form as a 2-year old which included a graded win(Grey Stakes) in just his second start. Steady runner is conditioned by a two-time Plate winning trainer
Play: Since returning from a 4-month layoff, AMI'S HOLIDAY, whose last race came with a troubled stretch run, has made a modest forward move by earning speed figures equal to or slightly better than his best 2-yo figure. That's often a significant sign of further improvement. The colt breaks from the outside gate, but the run to the first turn is long enough, which should enable the horse to find position without being used and losing ground. In addition, he faces rivals that have run a bit faster in recent races, so the odds on the Carroll runner should be very generous.
I will complete my trifecta with LEXIE LOU and WE MISS ARTIE.
Good luck with your wagering, and as always, enjoy the race!