Scholar Athlete First Queen's Plate Horse for Motion
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Photo:
Michael Burns
West Point Thoroughbreds’ Scholar Athlete, a son of Einstein, looks to graduate at the top of the Queen’s Plate class, next Sunday at Woodbine.
A lifetime winner of two races from eight starts, the gelding, trained by Graham Motion, heads into the 1 ¼-mile event off a sharp score at Belmont on May 12.
Under Jose Ortiz, who’ll partner Scholar Athlete in the Plate, the bay recorded a 1 ¾-length victory at 1 1/16 miles over ‘firm’ turf.
“I thought his last race was excellent and we’re very happy with how he’s coming into this,” said Motion, of his first Plate starter. “We didn’t want to squeeze another race in before this one.”
Scholar Athlete contested the first four races of his career at Woodbine, including a pair of stakes, the Cup & Saucer (11th) and the Coronation Futurity (3rd).
Motion took an immediate liking to the lifetime earner of $124,721, whose career bow came at seven furlongs over Woodbine’s old main track last August, yielding a fourth-place finish.
“As a two-year-old, he always did things nicely,” praised Motion. “He was impressive from the get-go and handled things very well.”
The affable trainer is counting down the days until July 3.
“I’m very excited to have my first horse in the Queen’s Plate,” he said. “This race was the goal for him and to get this opportunity to be in such a historic race is truly fantastic. I’m really looking forward to it.”
CAN 'DUDLEY' DO RIGHT IN QUEEN'S PLATE?
Sir Dudley Digges, a son of Gio Ponti, looks for his biggest coronation in next Sunday’s Gallop for the Guineas at Woodbine.
Owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, trained by Mike Maker, and ridden by Julien Leparoux, the dark bay colt will be making his second straight appearance at Canada’s Showplace of Racing when he goes postward on July 3.
The Ontario-bred finished third in the 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial on June 12, a game effort on the Toronto oval Tapeta that pleased Maker.
“I thought he ran a credible race in the Plate Trial,” said Maker. “He looked good on the gallop out.”
Prior to the Plate Trial, Sir Dudley Digges broke his maiden, recording a two-length triumph on April 22 in a 1 1/16-mile turf race at Keeneland.
Consistency is a hallmark for the lifetime earner of $80,896, who has seven top-three finishes from eight career starts.
The Plate, at 1 ¼-miles, will be the furthest Sir Dudley Digges, named after an English diplomat (1583-1639) and politician, has raced to date.
“The Plate distance won’t be an issue,” offered Maker.
QUEEN'S PLATE DRAW SET FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
The post-position draw for the 157th running of The Queen's Plate is set for Wednesday morning in Woodbine's trackside tent. The traditional single draw pill pull will be overseen by track announcer Robert Geller and racing secretary, Stu Slagle.
The draw, set to begin at 10AM, will be available via live stream at QueensPlate.Com.
EARLY LOOK AT THE JULY 3 QUEEN'S PLATE PROBABLE FIELD (14)
HORSE / TRAINER / OWNER / JOCKEY
- All On Red / Sid Attard / JMJ Racing Stables LLC / Eurico Rosa da Silva
- Amis Gizmo / Josie Carroll / Ivan Dalos / TBA
- Crumlin Spirit / Mike Doyle / Dura Racing and M. J. Doyle Racing Stables Ltd. / TBA
- Esposito / Tom Proctor / Chartwell Partners LLC / Alan Garcia
- Gamble's Ghost / Josie Carroll / Ivan Dalos / TBA
- Hammers Vision / Brian Lynch / Terry Hamilton / Patrick Husbands
- Leavem in Malibu / Mark Casse / Gary Barber & Conrad Farms / Gary Boulanger
- Mike / John LeBlanc Jr./ Paradox Farm, Inc., Mardon Stable & Hugh Sutherland / David Moran
- My Name Is Jim / Reade Baker / Mario Forgione / TBA
- Narrow Escape / Justin Nixon / JMC's Racing Stable, Warren Dehan & Justin J. Nixon / TBA
- Rocket Plan / John LeBlanc Jr. / William Gierkink / Simon Husbands
- Scholar Athlete / Graham Motion / West Point Thoroughbreds / Jose Ortiz
- Shakhimat / Roger Attfield / Dan Gale and Richard Hogan / Emma-Jayne Wilson
- Sir Dudley Digges / Mike Maker / Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey / Julien Leparoux
STARS FROM CTV'S THE SOCIAL RETURN TO HOST QUEEN'S PLATE HATS AND HORSESHOES EVENT
Melissa Grelo (@melissagrelo), Cynthia Loyst (@cynthialoyst), Lainey Lui (@LaineyGossip), and Jess Allen (@jessieraeallen) from popular Canadian daily talk series The Social, will reprise their hosting duties for this year’s edition of the Hats & Horseshoes Party, on July 3, Queen’s Plate day at Woodbine Racetrack.
Best known for their roles on CTV’s The Social (@TheSocialCTV), which brings a fresh, daily, perspective on up-to-the-minute news, pop culture, and lifestyle topics that matter most to Canadians, the engaging TV personalities will preside over the highly-anticipated Hats & Horseshoes festivities, one of many must-see events showcased on Plate day.
Taking place in The Social Lounge, an exclusive tent at Hats & Horseshoes, and throughout the event, the ladies will keep guests informed on the full complement of activities happening at the party, provide commentary on the day’s fashion statements, discuss style trends they see, and speak with the many high-profile sponsors of the event.
From interviews on the pink carpet to engaging discussions on all the stylish goings on, the Millinery Design Competition, and the Most Fashionable Lady Contest, to coverage with the Plate-winning jockey and horse, The Social co-hosts have all the excitement covered.
For more on all of the Queen’s Plate festivities including Hats & Horseshoes, visit the official QP website at www.queensplate.com. For more on The Social, visit www.thesocial.ca.
Source: Woodbine Communications Office
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