Intriguing group of 3-year-olds lined up to contest the 3rd jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown – the Breeders’ Stakes, including three fillies (two supplemented) who will carry 3 pounds less than the boys. Just to add to the mystery, the race will be over the inner course this year as the E.P. Taylor is under refurbishment so the participants will be going 3 turns as they all challenge the mile and a half distance for the first time. As we know, anything and all things can happen so let’s take a closer peek at a few: Top Pick #9 Tom’s Magic (1-1, morning line) $20 Win bet Looks to be the favourite and deservedly so after his monster effort in the King’s Plate, which doesn’t do him justice on paper. Colt by Justify overcame all sorts of trouble in the first turn, travelled wide the whole race and exploded when he finally found his footing in the stretch to only come up short finishing second. Now, gets back to the grass where he is already proven with a couple of stakes wins to his credit, at a distance which looks to be right in his wheelhouse. Won’t be surprised to see Hernandez be assertive with him from post 9 and try to go gate to wire with lack of any other speed in the race. He is the one to beat but won’t be much value so keying in exotics may be the way to play. Tom’s Magic. Michael Burns Photography Wildcard #8 Sedburys Ghost (10-1) He has some questions for sure but warrants a pass in the King’s Plate after a rough trip breaking from post 12. Nothing went his way as he encountered trouble on the first turn before enduring a wide trip through the race leaving him empty on the turn for home. While he easily could rebound here, it won’t be easy as the Plate Trial winner has never raced on the grass and sire Shaman Ghost wins at 6% with turf routes with an average win distance of 8.2 furlongs. Minshall did win this event in 2021 with British Royalty. Sedburys Ghost. Michael Burns Photography Longshot #2 D’aurum (20-1) Filly who is winless from 9 starts, lines up against the boys and while on paper this looks to be a tall ask, I am reminded of what her owners said after they ran third in the G1 Natalma at 58-1 with a maiden (La Culasse) who was making her second lifetime start, “We don’t enter for participation ribbons.” Sired by Medaglia d’Oro who has amassed over $42M with his progeny routing on the turf in his illustrious stallion career and her dam made almost $250k going long on the lawn so she should relish the distance. However, a bit of a negative and cause for pause is that there were no next out winners from her most recent inner turf race June 21st where she checked in fifth. Share This:Share
