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Queen's Plate History

Queen’s Plate day is to Canada what Kentucky Derby day is to the United States or Derby day at Epsom is to Britain.

Not only is it a fantastic day of thoroughbred racing, which features the greatest prize for 3-year-olds in the land, the Queen's Plate is also the greatest social occasion for thoroughbred horse racing in Canada.

Like the classics at Churchill Downs and Epsom, the Queen’s Plate is an historic occasion; arguably the most historic in North America. Founded in 1860, it’s the oldest race in Canada, and the longest continuously-run race in North America. Every year, tens of thousands make their way to Woodbine for the day, and it’s definitely one of the places to be seen each year in Canada.

Just as importantly, the $C1 million race, run at 1-1/4 miles on Woodbine’s Tapeta track, is the first leg of Canada’s Triple Crown for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds. Ten winners of the Queen’s Plate have gone on to complete the Triple Crown, which also includes the Prince of Wales Stakes at 1-3/16 miles on dirt at Fort Erie in July, and the Breeders’ Stakes at 1-1/2 miles on the Woodbine turf in August.

Though it’s restricted to Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, trainers based outside Canada can bring their best Canadian-bred sophomores to compete, and a likely favorite could be an American-trained invader.

Holy Helena only ran three times, but she was very impressive winning the Woodbine Oaks June 11, 2017 and gave Jimmy Jerkens a great chance. Another American-trained horse with serious prospects was Channel Maker, from the stable of Hall of Famer Bill Mott.

Heading the home-trained team were two from the barn of Mark Casse: champion Canadian 2-year-old King and His Court, and State of Honor, who finished second in the Florida Derby to Always Dreaming before failing in the Kentucky Derby. Plate Trial winner Guy Caballero and the improving Watch Me Strut give Catherine Day Phillips two chances, while Roger Attfield sought his ninth Queen’s Plate with Tiz a Slam.

Queen’s Plate day also features four graded stakes races on turf. The most notable is the $C250,000 Highlander Stakes, a grade II race over six furlongs which also doubles as a Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. The other features are the grade II Dance Smartly Stakes ($C175,000, for 3-year-old fillies and mares at 1-1/4 miles), the grade II King Edward VII Stakes ($C175,000, over one mile), and the grade III Singspiel Stakes ($C125,000, over 1-1/2 miles). Some good gallopers from the United States have been nominated for these features.

Players looking to make some successful wagers should do well with the right research in all these races. Perhaps the most notable difference is that Woodbine’s turf track is much larger and roomier than most U.S. turf tracks, perhaps making it easier on horses closing from behind. In addition, be mindful that Woodbine’s main track is synthetic Tapeta.