Betting on King's Plate up for race, down for overall card
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Wagering on Saturday’s 13-race King’s Plate card was down compared to last year, but betting on the 167th running of the King’s Plate itself was up.
Saturday’s total handle was $14,817,309, which was 12.3 percent lower than last year’s total of $16,902,309. The record handle for a Plate card was $18,127,049 set in 2023.
Total wagering on the Plate itself was $4,202,181, a 4.5 percent increase over 2025. The $1,242,081 bet into the win pool on Saturday was the largest total in Plate history.
Luster won the Plate, a 1 1/4-mile Tapeta route, by 7 1/4 lengths under John Velazquez, earning a big 102 Beyer Speed Figure in the process. She became the 40th filly to win the historic event. Her win payoff of $2.50 was the lowest in the Plate since Alydeed returned $2.20 in 1992.
Kevin Attard’s five scores on Saturday’s Plate program tied the record for wins on a single Woodbine card by a trainer, equaling Mark Casse, Norm McKnight, and the late Frank Passero Jr.
"From the first race to the last, this year's King's Plate Day delivered very competitive racing and incredible energy throughout the grandstand," said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland. "We are proud of Saturday's outstanding race card and results. The King’s Plate continues to stand apart as the highlight of our Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine, and we’re grateful to the owners, trainers, jockeys, fans, and entire racing community who made this year’s celebration such a memorable one."
The $1 million Plate is the opening leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. It continues with the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes on the dirt at Fort Erie Sept. 7 and the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes on the main turf at Woodbine Sept. 27.
Woodbine’s next major card is Turf Champions Day on Sept. 12, which is highlighted by the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, the Grade 1 Natalma, the Grade 1 Summer, and the Grade 1 E.P. Taylor. All four non-Lasix stakes are Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In qualifiers.
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