Sir for Sure springs surprise in Woodbine's Plate Trial Stakes

Long shot Sir for Sure announced his arrival as a top Queen’s Plate contender with an impressive score in Sunday’s running of the $150,400 Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine. ?

?A field of nine Canadian-foaled 3-year-olds took to the Toronto oval Tapeta in the 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial, which comes three weeks before the running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate, set for Sunday, Aug. 21 at Woodbine. ?

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?Causin’ Mayhem, making his first start outside of the U.S., went to the front as Dancin in Da’nile got away second with a headstrong 9-5 choice The Minkster in third. The pacesetter reached the opening quarter in :24.07 and was still calling the shots by a length after a half in :48.54. ?

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?Sir for Sure, a son of Sligo Bay (IRE) out of the mare Serena’s Rose, crossed the line a two-length victor. Patrick Husbands, aboard Hall of Dreams, launched a claim of foul against the winner, but the order of finish remained unchanged. Causin’ Mayhem was third and Duke of Love fourth. ?

?Final time for the race was 1:50.62. ? ? ?

?“I knew my horse had a good kick when he won at Gulfstream, so I just bided my time, and then when I had to make room, I was able to push out,” said winning rider Declan Carroll. “You know, that's how racing is sometimes, it gets a little rough but I’m happy to come away with a win. Honestly, it was a very easy ride. He traveled beautifully throughout the race.” ?

?René and Darlene Hunderup of Heste Sport Inc., who operate Norse Ridge Farm, were thrilled with the Plate Trial performance. ?

?A spot in the starting gate for the Queen’s Plate, North America’s oldest continually run stakes race, could be on tap for Sir for Sure. ?

?“Thankful to Mark for the preparation, thankful to my wife for having bred this incredible beast, and he just came through as a real classy horse,” said René Hunderup. “It's wonderful to be the owner of such a classy horse.” ?

?It was the first stakes triumph for the bay gelding, who was second in his career bow, last year’s Frost King, and sixth in the Queenston on June 12. ?

?He returned $45.70 for the win and now sports a record of 2-1-0 from five starts. ?