Federal Law stretches back out in distance for the Plate Trial
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Federal Law will look to build off his win in the Queenston Stakes when he stretches out around two turns again for Saturday’s $125,000 Plate Trial Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta at Woodbine. The Plate Trial is the final local prep for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds pointing to the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine in three weeks on June 29.
Federal Law cut back to seven furlongs in the Queenston Stakes after finishing third in the Wando Stakes on April 28. Prior to that, he was ninth in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park in his 3-year-old debut March 9.
“I really thought he grew up over the winter,” trainer Mark Casse said. “When we took him to Turfway, I really expected him to win. He just had a really rough trip and finished ninth. So, we sent him back to Ocala to regroup with him. I thought his race in the Wando was quite good. Obviously, his last race was a really good effort. He’s a beautiful horse.”
Other key contenders in the Plate Trial include Jammin Still and Dun Drum.
Jammin Still was a troubled second in an allowance event on May 20, but finished strongly when he finally did get running room. He’ll add Lasix for the first time in this start for trainer Kevin Attard.
Dun Drum captured the Kingarvie Stakes as a 2-year-old last season, and made his 3-year-old debut in the Queenston Stakes. He was off the pace early on in the Queenston, and rallied in the late going to finish third, just three-quarters of a length behind Federal Law.
Sister Peacock back on turf
The first of three stakes on Saturday’s card is the $100,000 William D. Graham Memorial Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over 6 1/2 furlongs on turf.
The field is led by Sister Peacock, who captured the Star Shoot Stakes on Tapeta on April 21, but will return to turf in this start. Sister Peacock raced on turf twice this winter at Gulfstream Park, recording a pair of second-place finishes in starter stakes. Sister Peacock will have to overcome the outside draw in the 13-horse field.
Other key contenders in the field include Pearl Heist, Monkeys Uncle, Silent Mistake, and Furiously Fast. Pearl Heist and Monkeys Uncle will both make their 3-year-old debuts in this spot following productive 2-year-old campaigns. Pearl Heist was unbeaten in two starts, while Monkeys Uncle captured the Selima Stakes at Laurel Park on turf in her second start.
Silent Mistake captured the Victorian Queen Stakes last season, and should appreciate the move to the turf. Furiously Fast will make her stakes debut following a 6 1/2-length allowance victory on May 12.
