Strait of Dover slight favourite in the 153rd Queen’s Plate at Woodbine
The 153rd running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine will get underway on 24 June, 2012, and the 1 ¼ mile event has reeled in a formidable field of 14, 3-year-old colt, geldings and fillies, who will vie for a victory in one of the Canadian classics.
Canyon Farms' 3-year-old colt, Strait of Dover, exiting an impressive victory in the 1 1/16 mile Marine Stakes over the Woodbine’s synthetic surface on 12 May, 2012, has been declared the 3 to 1 favourite over the annual ceremonial breakfast.
Another former Hastings jockey, Justin Stein, will have the honours of riding the Queen’s Plate favourite on 24 June, as did another former Hastings rider, Mario Gutierrez, who led I’ll Have Another to victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes this year in the Triple Crown.
Hopefully, Justin will have the same luck as Mario Gutierrez, and guide the favoured, Strait of Dover to victory. The duo will break from post number 4.
“My best choices were 8 or 4,” Vella said. “I’ve been thinking there’s not a lot of speed in the race, and I think we’re going to be in the first five going into the turn, so we’re better off inside.”
The second choice for the Woodbine event is, River Rush, who is the 4 to 1 choice at the morning line, and the R. Baker trained son of Orientate will break from the rail under jockey J. McAleney.
All male participants of the Queen’s Plate will carry 126 pounds, except the fillies, Dixie Strike and Irish Mission, who will carry 121 pounds.
John C. Oxley owned3-year-old filly, Dixie Strike will be going in the race with blinkers on, and with Patrick Husbands aboard, Mark Casse trained filly is the 8 to 1 fourth choice, and will break from post number 10.
Exiting an impressive victory in his maiden race, Golden Ridge has been declared as the third choice to win the Queen’s Plate at 6 to 1, and with Luis Contreras onboard, the pair will break from post number 7.
“It’s a perfect spot,” said trainer Mark Casse. “He’s in the middle of the field, and he’ll be one of the last to load.”
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