Early-line Queen's Plate edge to Dancethruthedawn

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Will it be Win City, or the Sam-Son Farm entry of Dancethruthedawn and Lucky Scarab?

That question concerns not only who will win Sunday's $1 million Queen's Plate, but also whom the wagering public will make the favorite in the 142nd running of the 1 1/4-mile race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.

A field of 10 was drawn for the Plate here Thursday morning at the annual Queen's Plate breakfast.

The draw was a two-part process, following the model of the Kentucky Derby, with the order of selection being determined in a first draw and the connections of each entrant then selecting their post positions.

The Sam-Son entry did not fare well in the selection process, emerging with the ninth and 10th choices and obtaining the No. 2 post for Lucky Scarab and the outside slot for Dancethruthedawn.

But post position is not expected to be much of a factor in the smallest Queen's Plate field since Dance Smartly, dam of Dancethrutthedawn, defeated eight rivals in 1991.

The Sam-Son entry is Daily Racing Form's morning-line 9-5 favorite over the formidable Win City, who is 2-1 and will break from post 7 under regular rider Constant Montpellier.

Win City has won the last three Plate preps, taking the seven-furlong Queenston, the 1 1/16-mile Marine, and the 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial in increasingly impressive fashion.

Dancethruthedawn is coming off a solid score in the 1 1/8-mile Labatt Woodbine Oaks, the country's premier test for Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies, and also brings her high-profile pedigree and connections to the Plate table.

But it is the filly's stablemate, Lucky Scarab, who could tilt the scale in favor of the entry when the public has its say Sunday.

Lucky Scarab won his maiden over 1 1/16 miles here last time out. But he has run well in each of his five career starts, all this year, and seems the sort who will relish the Plate distance.

Millennium Allstar, DRF's third choice at 7-2, comes off a second-place finish behind Win City in the Trial.

Longshot possibilities include Brushing Bully, coming off a third-place Plate Trial finish for Stronach Stables Inc., and Thatsthebottomline, a good third against older horses in his last start for owners Victor and Rosanne Deschenes and Scott Wagner.

Rounding out the field: Highland Legacy, Canada's 2-year-old champion but yet to hit stride this year; one-time winner Dawn Watcher; and the maidens Sik and Asia.