It’s been quite a wild road to the Oaks and Plate Trial this year as it’s been full of twists, turns and surprises. They are just youngsters however, and many factors must be accounted for like unusually hot days, small fields, which can often change race complexion, inside speed biases, less than ideal distances, and consistency is just flat out hard. So, who is going to get the right trip, at the right distance, at the right time? Let’s take a look at a few possibilities. Plate Trial – Race #9 Top Selection: #4 Military Time 2-1 Son of multiple G1 winner Gun Runner didn’t need to win Queenston Stakes, think that was a steppingstone for this race which will eventually lead to the big one, The King’s Plate. Was a credible second in his only time going around two turns in the Coronation Futurity, and he looks to have progressed in his 2-3yr old transition whereas others haven’t. He will be making the third start of his current form cycle which tends to produce big efforts, and his trainer Mark Casse has won this race three out of the last four years with My Boy Prince (2024), Paramount Prince (2023), and Sir for Sure (2022). Military Time. Michael Burns Photography Wildcard: #6 Highwaytothemoon 6-1 Can this incredible sprinter get the two-turn distance? That is the big question for this fella, however he has answered every task asked of him so far this season. His sire Ransom the Moon, was a two-time winner at this distance but really found his niche sprinting. As gutsy and hard trying as he is, he will have company on the front end which could be detrimental for him. But of all the pace players in the field, like his chances of being around at the end the most. Longshot: #2 Very Special 15-1 Homebred is still a maiden, but colt by the legendary Ghostzapper colt hasn’t finished worse than 3rd 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 Plate winners Shaman Ghost (2015) and Moira (2022), and adds blinkers for the first time, an angle where his trainer Kevin Attard has a 20% win rate with 3-year-olds. Woodbine Oaks – Race #10 Top Selection: #3 Katie’s Grace 6-1 Her races this year have been rather deceptive as she caught a speed-favouring track in her first couple at a distance which isn’t her best, really compromising her chances. Thus, her big performance in the Selene where she stretched back out and added blinkers, finishing a closing second at a monster price. Filly by Independence Hall has been knocking heads with this group, including a runner-up finish to Piper’s Gift in the Princess Elizabeth last year. While others may have distance limitations, she may thrive and her trainer has won this event twice with Dixie Moon in 2018 and Neshama in 2016. Katie’s Grace. Michael Burns Photography Wildcard: #6 Bold Time 8-1 Which Bold Time are we going to see here? Inconsistent filly is so hard to gauge and really had no excuses in her last outing, but that winning effort two back is hard to ignore where she clocked her career best Beyer of 83. She does get reunited with Aebly who was aboard for her maiden breaking score last October, and these connections won the 2024 edition of this event with Kin’s Concerto. Longshot: #4 Kinzie Girl 20-1 Most experienced of the field with 12 starts under her belt could end up being the lone pace of the race, which we know is always dangerous. She comes off a big effort over a track that was speed favouring and obviously the added distance is a question. Connections think enough of her to give her a shot and upset the Georgian Bay Stakes earlier in the meet with Souper Sporty at 18-1. She will still need a big step forward here as she hasn’t faced this type of competition yet. The Play: Plate Trial/Oaks Daily Double 2,4 / 1,2,3,7 = $24 Share This:Share
