Queen's Plate 2022: Trip notes and analysis for Plate Trial, Woodbine Oaks
By Sheri Riddoch
Plate Trial Stakes
Winner: Sir for Sure
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Declan Carroll
Owner: Heste Sport Inc
Beyer Speed Figure: 83
Sir for Sure pulled the upset at huge odds of 21-1, overlooked by the wagering public perhaps due to the poor race in the Queenston, in which he was a non-threatening seventh. Many were perplexed as he had been highly touted as one to watch off his Gulfstream win in February. Routing appears to be his thing and was the key to putting him back into the Queen’s Plate discussion. Sir for Sure broke last but managed to make up ground before the first turn and settled nicely in midpack, swung four wide heading for home to avoid the tiring leaders, and bounded home for the win.
Hall of Dreams was comfortable at the back biding his time, started his move entering the far turn and was caught going wider than his stablemate, Sir for Sure, who bumped him heading into the lane. Hall of Dreams tried in vain to catch the winner but couldn’t get there and finished second. He is a consistent player.
Causin’ Mayhem found himself on the lead in his first start over the surface, was pressed the whole way, and continued to fight on to hold third while the other speed faded. He could definitely improve second time over the surface should they opt to run him in the Queen’s Plate.
Duke of Love sat behind the pace to the inside of The Minkster, traveling comfortably with a beautiful rail trip until the leaders started to tire and he found himself stuck in traffic, completely shut off in the lane. He swung out wide and re-rallied impressively after finding room to just miss third, a nightmare trip that many will take note of when he lines up for the Queen’s Plate.
Dancin in Da’nile pressed the pace from the start, made his move on the leader on the turn for home, but could not sustain that bid and faded to fifth. Expecting to see him back on turf, which may be his preferred surface.
The Minkster, who was favored, fought the rider through the first half of the race, started to settle down the backside, made a three-wide move on the turn for home, but his early antics and wide journey took their toll and he finished a tiring sixth. He will need to settle in the Queen’s Plate to have a chance.
Lac Macaza found his spot traveling with the back tier, tried to make up ground on the leaders entering the far turn, but just could not keep up while finishing seventh.
Guard of Honour settled in at the back of the pack, had no response when roused on the far turn, and coasted home to run an even race finishing eighth.
Bill Needle broke well and settled along the rail with the back flight, made little impact on the far turn while losing ground to the field, and was wrapped in the lane finishing a well-beaten ninth and last.
Woodbine Oaks
Winner: Moira
Trainer: Kevin Attard
Jockey: Rafael Hernandez
Owner: X-Men Racing, Madakat Stables LLC, and SF Racing LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 92
Moira, the even-money favorite, was expected to move forward after gutting out a victory in the Fury Stakes, a race that was not at her ideal distance and was the first start of her delayed campaign. She lived up to the hype – even after pre-race dramatics that led to both hind shoes being removed – rewarding her backers with an eye-popping performance. Moira broke well and settled nicely behind the fast pace toward the back of the pack, traveled comfortably and made an early move to take the lead at the quarter pole, and then drew away, never in doubt.
Sister Seagull was content to settle at the back of the pack before making her move turning for home, had to weave through traffic, and was almost shut off down the lane. Once she found a clear opening, she drove through to finish a clear second and is an obvious candidate for the second leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara, the $250,000 Bison City Stakes on Aug. 14.
Sahlabiya pressed the pacesetter after winning the break, was relentless in her efforts, and stayed on for a hard-fought third. It was a nice effort for her first race over the surface.
Souper Flashy was away cleanly in the top tier flanking the speed, then sat back to stalk the pace, was caught in behind the tiring leader and had no room on the far turn losing momentum, encountered traffic in the stretch, and then ran on when clear to just miss third. She is another prospect for the Bison City.
Pioneer’s Edge broke well but was rank going wide into the first turn, settled at the back but continued on the three path, was five wide around the turn for home, and flattened down the lane. She was in the blanket finish for third, fourth, and fifth.
Swoop to Finish broke alertly with the top tier, but was content to settle midpack outside of Souper Flashy, made her bid around the far turn, but just could not sustain it and finished a tiring sixth.
Maccool’s Girl fought for her spot after the break to track the pacesetters, started to fall back turning for home, and finished toward the back of the pack in seventh.
Bizymaline settled in midpack after going wide on the first turn, was racing alongside Moira but had no punch when others made their move, turned wide for home, and faded to eighth.
Curlin Candy was always at the rear of the field, had a rail-skimming trip and made a brief move before the stretch, but flattened out to finish ninth.
Loaded Vixen broke alertly and went straight to the lead while setting swift fractions, then began to lose steam turning for home and finished a distant trailer.