Woodbine: Strait of Dover puts in strong final work for Queen's Plate

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Strait of Dover and Classic Bryce both worked five furlongs over the main track here Monday morning in their final major tune-ups for the $1 million Queen’s Plate on Sunday at Woodbine.

The probable field for the 1 1/4-mile Queen’s Plate swelled to 15 on Monday morning with the news that Washington Dash, a maiden who is trained by Darrin Miller, would be shipping in from Churchill Downs.

Strait of Dover, trained by Danny Vella, breezed in 1:00.40 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.40 with his regular rider Justin Stein in the irons.

The clockers caught Strait of Dover going his first three furlongs in 36 seconds.

“He was very professional,” Vella said. “He worked nice and even, was off strong and finished strong.

“Justin did just a great job, did just what I asked him to.We wanted a good work, and he said he had tons of horse the whole way.

“We’re ready.”

Strait of Dover last saw action May 12, winning by 6 1/2 lengths when traveling around two turns for the first time here in the 1 1/16-mile Marine.

Vella had been planning to use the June 3 Plate Trial as Strait of Dover’s final prep, but the colt came up with a minor blood disorder and was not entered.

Classic Bryce, trained by Darwin Banach, worked in 1:01.20 while going in company with 5-year-old stablemate Prized Humor.

The clockers timed Classic Bryce in 36.20 for his first three furlongs and caught him galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.20 under Todd Kabel, who has picked up the mount for the Queen’s Plate.

“Everything was perfect,” Banach said. “He did just enough to get something out of it.”

Classic Bryce has placed in stakes in each of his three outings this year, finishing second in both the 1 1/16-mile Wando and the Marine and third, beaten 6 1/4 lengths, in the Plate Trial.

Wild Rush, trained by Reade Baker and ridden by Jim McAleney, took the 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial by 5 1/4 lengths while winning for the first time in his third career start, all this season.

Washington Dash also was unraced at 2 and was making his third career appearance when third in a one-mile turf allowance at Churchill Downs on May 31.

A Smart Strike colt bred by Sam-Son Farm, Washington Dash had finished 12 lengths back in sixth place when debuting over about seven furlongs on Keeneland’s Polytrack surface and then ran fourth over 1 1/8 miles of turf at Churchill Downs.