Sheri Riddoch Handicaps the Canadian Stakes and King’s Plate

The Canadian Stakes has really crowned some amazing champions over the years, including two-time winner Starship Jubilee, Fev Rover, Moira, Full Count Felicia, and most recently, Ready for Shirl. This year looks to have a couple of standouts but looks can be deceiving and as we know. Funny things can happen in these type of races.

Canadian Stakes – Race #8

Top Selection: #6 Proctor Street 2-1: Strike a line through her last as nothing went her way. She was fractious at the gate after a rival acted up then had to steady before the first turn causing her to lose position and was just unable to recover – chalk it up to bad racing luck. Prior to that debacle, she placed in three consecutive graded stakes events, including finishing ahead of Vina Arana in G3 Mint Julep at Churchill Downs, who recently dominated the G2 Nassau winning by four lengths. She adds Lasix back and picks up Pietro Moran for the mount.

Wildcard: #3 Awesomesauce 6-1: Well-travelled filly will be making her local debut for Joe Sharp who has had good success locally winning at 40% in 2026 for a return on investment of $3.01. Arrives here off a confidence boosting stake victory at Belterra as the favourite in a large field of 11, but this will be her biggest test to date. Deep closer gets back on the Lasix program but race dynamics could be an issue as there is only one bona-fide frontrunner in this compact field. Campos was second with Fantastical for this trainer in the G3 Royal North, which has been his only call for this outfit prior to this one. Expect her to be flying late – just not sure she can get there or if she can compete at this level.

Longshot Play: #2 War Painter 20-1: Big class test for this gal, as while she has competed in stakes in her career, this is a tougher calibre of competition. That being said, her pedigree screams distance on the turf as her sire Danish Dynaformer found his niche route racing on the grass. Stablemate to fellow entrant Eponine, who will likely take more wagering action than her, may be more forwardly placed to keep Lupa honest on the front which would be beneficial for closers. This is a big ask, but she is getting on the inner sod for the first time this year which could really move her forward. She could surprise at a really big price so is worth including underneath in your exotics.

The Play: I am looking to do a Pick 3 that starts here and ends with The King’s Plate. We will take a shot against Luster in the last leg looking for value. 4,6/2,3,5/9,10,12 = $18

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The King’s Plate has arrived!! As usual, we have a little of everything in the body of this field which is what makes this event so great. This year, we have two fillies, which is no surprise as historically they have done well, a maiden, a horse only making his second career start, and likely a very, very heavy favourite in Luster who dominated the Woodbine Oaks while being geared down. While I respect her and her ability, should she have any sort of regression or hiccup – it will be bombs away. Her trainer Josie Carroll mentioned at the draw that while she wasn’t tested in the Oaks, she will have to dig deep here and we will find out what she’s made of.

Some food for thought as we take a look at a few others:

King’s Plate Race #10

Top Selection: #9 Brachetto 5-1 Consistent colt by Vekoma, who is named after an Italian red wine grape, just continues to do everything right. His victory in the Marine was very impressive as not only did he prove he can go two turns, he ran down a very highly regarded competitor in Magical Factor who just had no answer for him. His stalking running style is an asset in this eclectic group as there does look to be a quick pace on paper (like we always say). He is sibling to graded stakes winner Mi Bago and Bracket Buster who just trounced the field by 15 in the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes. Julia Carey mentioned at the draw Tuesday they bypassed the Plate Trial by design, and that his works have been excellent heading into the big day. Manitoba-bred would make history for the province if he can get the job done and I really like his chances.

Wildcard: #11 Bond Market 30-1 How much more of a wildcard can we get? Inexperienced fella won his career opener emphatically at a whopping 45-1 going a mile on the grass, but that race hasn’t produced any next out winners. Now he faces the acid test in his second lifetime start routing on the synthetic against much more seasoned competition, in a robust field of twelve. His sire Bond Street only has 17 offspring and his dam was winless from four starts, so not much information to go on. To top it all off, this will be Xarel Forde’s first King’s Plate mount, and he has one win for this trainer from 25 races – wildcard indeed.

Longshot Play(s): #10 Very Special 30-1 Had my eyes on this fella in the Plate trial but sadly was a scratch at the gate, which his trainer attributed to him just being a young horse. However, seeing him entered for the big day makes me think that his connections are confident. Stronach Stables homebred is still a maiden, but the colt by legendary Ghostzapper hasn’t finished worse than third in his short career. He had a very troubled trip last out at the distance where he was squished at the break, then trapped behind horses on the turn for home, but closed stoutly once he found room. He is sibling to Queen’s Plate winners Shaman Ghost (2015) and Moira (2022), so the distance should be right in this guy’s wheelhouse. Adds blinkers this time out and wouldn’t be a surprise to see him hanging around at the end.

** consideration also to #3 Baaeed Alynna (30-1) along with #12 Military Time (12-1) that will be included on my below ticket.

The $20 Play – $10 win bet #9 Brachetto, $2 exacta wheel 9/1,3,10,11,12 = $10

Good luck in all your wagers, safe trips for everyone and enjoy a stellar day of racing.