Connections high on maiden in Plate

The connections of Mr. Foricos Two U, who was beaten a neck as the runner-up to Eye of the Leopard in last year's Queen's Plate, are back this year with the maiden Vicar Street.

Rocco d'Alimonte, who owns Vicar Street in partnership with Frank Annechinni, likes his chances based on the horse's previous encounters with the likes of Mobilizer and Queen's Plate favorite Hotep. Trainer Catherine Day Phillips does not disagree.

"I think he has a big, long, long stride," said Day Phillips. "He'll gallop forever."

Vicar Street is coming off a fifth-place finish in a 1 1/8-mile maiden race here May 28, but Day Phillips said she believes that her horse was not at his best that day.

"He spent 10 days on the farm after his last race," said the trainer. "His blood is back in order now."

Scatter the Gold, in 2000, was the last maiden to win the Queen's Plate.