Filly Luster rules King's Plate with dominating victory
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Luster was shining brightly on Saturday afternoon at Woodbine as she took the 167th running of the $1 million King’s Plate convincingly under a confident ride from John Velazquez.
After breaking from post 1 in the 12-horse field of Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, Luster vied for the early lead along the rail before Velazquez eased her back under the wire for the first time. Fire and Wine, a 61-1 bomb, set fast fractions of :22.78, :46.48, and 1:11.05 while being tracked by Very Special and Magical Factor.
Luster raced near the inside in fourth until midway on the far turn, where Velazquez angled her four-wide to soon vie for the lead. Military Time, under Luster’s former rider Fraser Aebly, closed outside from mid-pack to threaten entering the stretch, but Luster had lots left and drew off to score by 7 1/4 lengths, in a time of 2:02.01.
Fire and Wine faded to finish another three lengths back of Military Time in third, a neck in front of Dixie Law. Don Ique rallied for fourth and was followed by Bond Market, Imyourmedicineman, Brachetto, Highwaytothemoon, Baaeed Alynna, Magical Factor, and Very Special.
Luster ($2.50) was the lowest-priced winner of the Plate since Alydeed returned $2.10 in 1992.
Velazquez won his second Plate with a filly after Wonder Gadot in 2018 for Mark Casse, the trainer of Military Time.
“She broke so well and I didn’t want to be in her mouth right away,” Velazquez said. “I knew the horse next to me was going to the lead, and right before the wire, I got her back and she relaxed. I was really comfortable where I was.”
Velazquez said he didn’t want to be behind Fire and Wine on the far turn, so he moved her outside looking for a clear path.
“I had a horse on my right outside, and I made sure I pushed him out,” Velazquez said. “Coming to the quarter pole, I asked her to go and she responded really nice. I’m very, very blessed to have a horse like that. I’m very happy to be part of the team.”
Andrew Rosen owns Luster in partnership with Gainesway Stable.
“I’ve been in the business over 40 years and winning a race like this is just fantastic,” Rosen said. “It’s what it’s all about. Last year, Josie told me we were going to be standing (in the Plate winner’s circle). She’s quite special, Luster, and I think Josie knew that right from the get-go. Josie’s done an amazing job with her. And Johnny, of course, did a great job.”
Luster was the fourth Plate winner for trainer Josie Carroll, after Edenwold, the filly Inglorious, and the one-eyed Mighty Heart.
“She was in masterful hands,” Carroll said. “It’s a game of patience. You watch Johnny take her through the trip - he sat and you could see he was confident at any point in the race - just waiting for the right spot to move her. That gave me a lot confidence, the way he was moving on her.”
Carroll was noncommittal about her next race, but mentioned the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge on Oct. 10 on the grass at Keeneland as a possibility.
“I have to speak to the owners, but before the race, we agreed that win, lose, draw we would give her a little break after this and then regroup and look for her next start.”
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