Milwaukee Appeal a slight favorite

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Milwaukee Appeal, an impressive winner of the 1 1/8-mile Woodbine Oaks on June 7, has been made the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Sunday's $1 million Queen's Plate at Woodbine.

At a ceremonial draw here Thursday, a field of 13 was entered for the Queen's Plate, the 1 1/4-mile race that is the first leg of the Triple Crown for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.

The double draw method was employed, with the connections of each entrant first being assigned an order of choice in a blind draw and then selecting their post positions.

Milwaukee Appeal had the seventh choice, and her trainer, Scott Fairlie, opted for post 4.

"There were two spots left on the outside and we went with lucky No.o4, like the Oaks," said Fairlie, who trains Milwaukee Appeal for owner Eugene George. "She should be forwardly placed, but we'll leave that up to the rider, as the race unfolds."

Stewart Elliott, who rode Milwaukee Appeal for the first time in the Woodbine Oaks, will return from his home base of Monmouth Park for the Queen's Plate mount.

Eye of the Leopard, winner of the 1o1/8-mile Plate Trial on May 31 under Eurico Rosa da Silva, is next in Woodbine oddsmaker Jennifer Morrison's morning line at 7-2.

Trainer Mark Frostad had the first choice of post positions and went with the 7 hole.

"You don't want to be too far inside, where horses could come over on you, or too far outside. We have to get position, and it's a good spot to be in. We can see where all the speed is coming from."

Tasty Temptation, a tough-trip second in the Woodbine Oaks under regular rider Patrick Husbands, is the third choice at 4-1 and will begin from post 11 after drawing sixth in the selection process.

"I thought I'd prefer to be on the outside," said Mark Casse, who trains Tasty Temptation for Woodford Racing LLC. "Hopefully, after a clean break, Patrick can position himself in the five-sixteenths of a mile run to the first turn."

Tasty Temptation hesitated badly at the start of the Woodbine Oaks, and with the starters loading in order for the Queen's Plate, her time in the gate will be minimized.

"I don't really think that's a factor," said Casse, who said he believes Tasty Temptation's Woodbine Oaks start was a freak occurrence. "She's always been very good in the gate."

Milwaukee Appeal, Tasty Temptation, and Reservoir, who will be looking for his third win in as many career starts, all were supplemented to the Queen's Plate at a cost of $25,000.