Coronation winner The Minkster begins campaign; Plate Trial may be next

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Minkster joins the road to the $1 million Queen’s Plate on Sunday at Woodbine against a talented group of Canadian-bred 3-year-olds in the $125,000 Queenston, a seven-furlong Tapeta stakes.

The Minkster is unbeaten in two starts for trainer Danny Vella. After landing his debut in a turf sprint Oct. 2, he took the nine-furlong Coronation Futurity on the Tapeta on Oct. 30. He was scratched from the Grade 3 Grey in late November due to a foot bruise and is returning from a 7 1/2-month layoff Sunday.

“He matured very well over the winter and he’s training better than ever,” Vella said. “He was in Ocala with Mike Cook at Classic Mile. He was excited about him, and we’re excited to get him running.”

The Minkster has posted some rapid works here this spring, including five-eighths in a bullet 58.60 seconds on May 5. Vella had exercise rider Harold Fortune breeze the son of English Channel a half-mile out of the gate in 48.40 last Sunday.

“He’s only run twice, so I thought I better get a gate work into him for the experience,” Vella said. “He popped out good and was sitting comfortably. Harold had him the whole way. It was a perfect work for getting him ready.”

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The Minkster is adding Lasix. Vella said he has the Plate Trial Stakes on July 24 in mind as the colt’s final prep for the Queen’s Plate on Aug. 21.

Ironstone was among the leading 2-year-olds on the grounds last year, winning two restricted sprint stakes before ending up second in both the seven-furlong Display Stakes and 1 1/16-mile Grey.

Ironstone was third behind the razor-sharp shipper Nobals in his season debut in the six-furlong Woodstock Stakes. Trainer Willy Armata said he liked the way Ironstone relaxed early in a five-furlong breeze in 59.60 on June 4 under his new rider, Kazushi Kimura.

“Kimura was really happy with the way he worked,” Armata said. “He really liked him. He’s going into the race really good.”

Trainer Mark Casse entered unbeaten His Time and Sir for Sure.

His Time got an 84 Beyer Speed Figure in his gate-to-wire debut victory in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special here May 8.

Sir for Sure has been freshened since taking a two-turn maiden special over Gulfstream Park’s Tapeta on Feb. 5.

“I think Sir for Sure has a big shot to be a Queen’s Plate horse,” Casse said. “He overcame a lot in his last race at Gulfstream. I gave him a little break after that and cranked him back up. He could not be doing any better.”

Rondure has worked nicely since romping in a seven-furlong maiden special here May 14, earning an 86 Beyer.

Duke of Love received an 86 Beyer when winning a four-horse allowance here in his May 7 season opener.

Rounding out the field are Hidden Honor and Perfect Day.