{"id":5382,"date":"2023-08-18T15:03:08","date_gmt":"2023-08-18T19:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodbine.com\/kingsplate\/2023\/08\/18\/ten-kings-plate-contenders-as-told-by-their-grooms\/"},"modified":"2023-08-22T13:18:01","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T17:18:01","slug":"ten-kings-plate-contenders-as-told-by-their-grooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodbine.com\/kingsplate\/2023\/08\/18\/ten-kings-plate-contenders-as-told-by-their-grooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten King\u2019s Plate Contenders: As Told by Their Grooms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sunday marks the 164th<\/sup> running of The King\u2019s Plate. The last King\u2019s Plate took place in 1951, and 2023 marks the first year of the historic name change since then. The $1 million classic is the most prestigious horse race in the country and the longest continually run stakes race in North America.<\/p>\n

Ten grooms in The King\u2019s Plate provided insight into their horse\u2019s distinct personality, as well as sharing their personal bonds with the horses. Preparing for Woodbine\u2019s biggest race is no small feat, and the early mornings and long nights that got each horse Plate-ready is a huge undertaking and a team effort.<\/p>\n

Kevin Attard trains four horses for the King\u2019s Plate this year. Howard Carter<\/strong> grooms two of those horses, Wickenheiser<\/strong> (Lemon Drop Kid-Game (FR)) and Moon Landing<\/strong> (Nyquist \u2013 Fragrance). Moon Landing is owned by Robert V LaPenta, e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, and Madaket Stables LLC. Carter has worked for Attard since 2013 and has been grooming the bay colt as of this year after the horse came back from Gulfstream for the winter.<\/p>\n

\"Moon<\/a>
Moon Landing and Howard Carter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very aggressive with food, but otherwise he\u2019s a nice horse to deal with,\u201d said Carter, who notes how Moon Landing even searches for carrots while walking in the shed. \u201cHe\u2019s easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moon Landing is particularly drawn to carrots and grass.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll six of the horses that I take care of are nice on the grass. They\u2019re all my favourite, I love them all. I take care of them all the same way. They give you their best, and I\u2019m happy that they come back sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

What makes Moon Landing unique, offers Carters, is his maturity.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doesn\u2019t give me a hard time. He\u2019s a horse that\u2019s mature and carries himself like a decent horse. The rider is the key thing too. What we don\u2019t see, they can feel it. Often, the riders can feel what the horses need, and the grooms can see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is Carter\u2019s first King\u2019s Plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have an opportunity with The Queen\u2019s Plate, but I have two with The King\u2019s Plate. Maybe it\u2019s my lucky year because of the change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stuart Simon\u2019s horse Twin City<\/strong> (Klimt-Minnie Apple Is) is owned by Simon, Brent McLellan, Russell McLellan, and Roy E. McLellan. Velore Wright<\/strong> has groomed the horse since he got on the track as a 2-year-old. She has been working for Simon for about three years.<\/p>\n

\"Twin<\/a>
Twin City and Velore Wright<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Wright first saw Twin City, she first noticed his height and long legs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came into the barn, and I saw this gigantic thing and I was like, \u2018Wow, this horse is so big.\u2019 The myth is if you have a big, long horse then they can\u2019t run. And when I started grooming him, I noticed he was very friendly. He has his mood swings every now and then, but he\u2019ll cuddle you up in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wright commented on how the bay gelding surprised her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we ran him last year as a 2-year-old for his first race, he got second. And then he got three more seconds. He could actually run! It surprised me because you wouldn\u2019t think it since he\u2019s so big.\u201d<\/p>\n

She adds, \u201cHe\u2019s very friendly and has been good to me so far, I can\u2019t complain. He\u2019s a chill and humble horse. But when he goes on the track, it\u2019s all business. He\u2019s a totally different horse and has a whole different attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked what sets him apart, Wright comments pointed to his height.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the tallest one in the barn with his long legs.\u201d<\/p>\n

She also points out how, on his left eye, he has a beauty mark that looks like he has a permanent teardrop.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe frowns up with his eye, it\u2019s like a worried look.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaukokaipuu<\/strong> (Mr Speaker-Grey Pride) is trained by Ted Holder and owned by Culpepper Island Syndicate, which was formed by Holder.<\/p>\n

The grey colt is a team effort in Holder\u2019s barn, but Marge Szigeti<\/strong> would be considered his groom. Szigeti has worked for Holder for about a year and has groomed Kaukokaipuu since the end of March of this year.<\/p>\n

\"Kaukokaipuu<\/a>
Kaukokaipuu and Marge Szigeti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a very happy horse. Last year there was no biting, but this year he knows he\u2019s a colt, so he started biting,\u201d Szigeti shares.<\/p>\n

Lots of activity or wanting attention is what usually sets off his biting.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the mornings when there\u2019s activity, he\u2019s got his head out and does the helicopter head. If you get close enough, he\u2019ll want to bite you. Or, if you\u2019re walking a horse in the afternoon then he\u2019ll try to bite the hotwalkers as they\u2019re cooling the horses out. But once you\u2019re outside or in the stall with him, he\u2019s so loveable. If there were multiple people giving him attention, then he\u2019d love that even more.\u201d<\/p>\n

The horse is one of Szigeti\u2019s favourites.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really getting close. Ted has to call me to catch him in the stall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaukokaipuu loves carrots but on one condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have to be small pieces. He\u2019ll take it gently, finishes it, and then waits for another piece. He\u2019s such a gentleman with his small pieces of carrots.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also gets excited to train in the mornings.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce he knows he\u2019s getting ready to go out in the morning, he\u2019s very impatient.\u201d<\/p>\n

What makes Kaukokaipuu unique?<\/p>\n

\u201cHis gentleness, when he wants to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Szigeti gets emotional when talk turns to the race.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my second Plate,\u201d she said, tearing up. \u201cI\u2019m all these emotions. I can\u2019t put it into words.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trainer Mark Casse has two horses in The King\u2019s Plate this year. The first is the 2023 Woodbine Oaks Winner Elysian Field<\/strong> (Hard Spun\u2013Elysian), who is owned by Team Valor International and Gary Barber.<\/p>\n

\"Elysian<\/a>
Elysian Field and Gareth Daniel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gareth Daniel<\/strong> has worked for Casse for about 20 years and started grooming Elysian Field this year.\u201cShe\u2019s one of my easiest horses to work with,\u201d said Daniel. \u201cShe\u2019s a real sweetheart. She loves her mints, and she always stands there until you give them to her. She never leaves a crumb of food.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel also shares how the horse knows when she has to work in the morning or run in a race.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s so cool. When the tack goes on her, she\u2019s a different horse, she knows it\u2019s business time. She knows when she\u2019s running, and she puts on that racing persona.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel has a water bottle full of mints for the horses that he grooms and notes how he has a \u201clovely bond\u201d with Elysian Field.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as I come here, they know the mints are going to come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel is a Plate veteran.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis has been my fifth horse in the Plate. It feels amazing. The intrigue of it, just being in there and just being involved in it and having a horse in there with the buzz.\u201d<\/p>\n

Velocitor<\/strong> (Mor Spirit-Polar Plunge) is Attard\u2019s second horse in The King\u2019s Plate. The dark bay gelding is owned by Al & Bill Ulwelling.<\/p>\n

\"Velocitor<\/a>
Velocitor and Raymond Harris<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Raymond Harris has groomed Velocitor since he got to the track as a 2-year-old and has worked for Attard for about 10 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very aggressive, especially in the morning when his bridle goes on. He\u2019ll toss you out of the way. \u201cWe have to get along. I love him, he\u2019s like my baby. When it\u2019s time to get his bath, he just stands there no problem. I have four more that I take care of, but he\u2019s my favourite.\u201d<\/p>\n

Velocitor, who Harris also describes as, \u201chigh-strung\u201d and \u201cenergetic,\u201d can be impatient to get out in the morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants to go and loves his training. When it\u2019s time to get him ready, he uses his head and pushes you around. He just wants to get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Velocitor also relishes his racehorse role.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he goes out to train, he means business. No matter what the competition is, he always tries. When it\u2019s time for racing and he goes out there, he goes 100 percent. When he was a baby, he never missed the board. Last year he won three races and had a second and a third. So far this year, he had a bad start.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is Harris\u2019 second Plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll feel even better if we win it. It\u2019s special. It\u2019s my dream to win the Plate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trainer Michael De Paulo is running two horses for this year\u2019s King\u2019s Plate. The first, Stanley House<\/strong> (Army Mule-Stormy’s Song) is owned by John E. Russell and Diana L. Russell.<\/p>\n

Joseph De Paulo<\/strong>, Mike\u2019s son, grooms Stanley House and has done so ever since he got to Woodbine.<\/p>\n

\"Stanley<\/a>
Stanley House and Joseph De Paulo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe got to my stall and never left. We went to Florida, he came with us, and no one else has ever looked after him.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best way to describe Stanley House?<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a class animal. He doesn\u2019t have the biggest personality, but he does everything right. He acts like a professional and is a gentleman. He\u2019s an outstanding horse, anyone could take care of him. He\u2019s a wonderful animal.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Paulo also describes Stanley House as \u201cregal\u201d and \u201crelaxed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a cuddly horse and likes his head rubs. We have a good relationship; he respects me and I respect him. Even when he eats the mints, he\u2019s gentle.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for what makes Stanley House unique, De Paulo notes, \u201cHe\u2019s outstandingly classy. He does everything right, the way you show him to do it and how you expect him to do it. And that\u2019s how he does it.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Paulo is excited about the big race.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s my father\u2019s dream to win the Plate. So, if I can help him achieve that, that\u2019s bigger for me than winning a race.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ivan Forde<\/strong> grooms Paramount Prince<\/strong> (Society’s Chairman-Platinum Steel), the second horse trained by Mark Casse in the Plate. Paramount Prince won the 2023 Plate Trial Stakes and is owned by Michael J. Langlois and Gary Barber.<\/p>\n

\"Paramount<\/a>
Paramount Prince and Ivan Forde<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Forde has worked for Casse for 17 years and has been grooming the horse as of this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s an easy horse to get along with. He\u2019s nice to be around and is a happy horse. He does bite though.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked if the chestnut gelding is his favourite, Forde responds, \u201cAll of my horses are my favourites, I treat them all the same. He\u2019s relaxed and calm on race day until he\u2019s ready to get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

Forde has had multiple horses in the Plate over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been in the Plate many times, more than six times. I\u2019ve groomed some good horses, like Lexie Lou and Neepawa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lexie Lou had 10 lifetime wins, one of them coming in the 2014 Woodbine Oaks and Neepawa won the 2018 Breeders\u2019 Stakes at Woodbine.<\/p>\n

He shares more about what makes horses like Paramount Prince special.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the day they run, they have to show their talent. We hope for a good trip on Sunday. And best of luck to everyone in the race. May the best horse win.\u201d<\/p>\n

De Paulo\u2019s second horse in The King\u2019s Plate is Cool Kiss<\/strong> (Kantharos-Hot Kiss), owned by Newtop Stables, John E. Russell, and Joseph De Paulo.<\/p>\n

\"Cool<\/a>
Cool Kiss and Howard Pottins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Howard Pottins<\/strong> grooms Cool Kiss and has done so since the horse got to the track as a 2-year-old last year and previously groomed Cool Kiss\u2019 mother, Hot Kiss. Pottins has worked for De Paulo for 16 years.<\/p>\n

Pottins notes the horse\u2019s journey from a 2-year-old to a 3-year-old and how the horse has become kinder and less aggressive.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s as kind a horse as you\u2019ll ever meet. He didn\u2019t start out that way, but he\u2019s grown up. A very kind horse. When he was a colt, he was aggressive and immature, but now he\u2019s grown up. He can be a little crazy but in a good way. He knows what he\u2019s about.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for the bond between Pottins and Cool Kiss, \u201cWe\u2019re buddies. He beats up on me, but I let him do that. Good racehorses always want to train. They want to get going. He doesn\u2019t like waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mints and grazing are Cool Kiss\u2019 favourite treats.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is food-motivated but that\u2019s not why he trains or runs well, he just loves to do it. But there\u2019s no question that the food helps.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahead of the King\u2019s Plate, Pottins is focusing on the horse\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever happens, happens. As long as they come back okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Philip My Dear<\/strong> (Silent Name (JPN)\u2013Involuntary) is Attard\u2019s fourth horse in this year\u2019s Plate. The dark bay colt is owned by Raroma Stable, LLC.<\/p>\n

Joshua Attard<\/strong>, son of Kevin Attard, has groomed Philip My Dear since he got to the track as a two-year-old.<\/p>\n

\"Philip<\/a>
Philip My Dear and Joshua Attard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very playful,\u201d said Joshua. \u201cHe\u2019s always happy all the time. He\u2019s always feeling good. He wants to bite you. He means it sometimes, but he just wants to play and wants attention.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attard shares more about his bond with the horse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a pretty good bond, I always feed him mints, try to keep him happy. Every day after I feed, I take him outside and give him some grass. He\u2019s one of my favourites for sure. Mints and carrots are his favourites. He eats everything. He doesn\u2019t leave anything in the tub.\u201d<\/p>\n

Attard shares how Philip My Dear gets excited to train in the mornings.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a little impatient to go out in the morning. He digs and wants to get out of his stall and go train.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for what makes the horse unique, Attard points to his good-natured ways.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s happy every day. Some horses have a bad day, but he always has his head out in the front of the stall. I\u2019ve never seen a day where he\u2019s sad or upset.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year is Attard\u2019s first Plate for a horse that he grooms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m both excited and nervous but he\u2019ll try his best. I\u2019ve been grooming now for three years. To have my first horse in The King\u2019s Plate in only my third year is remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Renico Lafond<\/strong> is the trainer and groom of Morstachy\u2019s<\/strong> (Mor Spirit-Wekiva Mist). Morstachy\u2019s was claimed by Lafond on July 23 of this year and is owned by Kris Manohar.<\/p>\n

\"Morstachy's<\/a>
Morstachy’s and Renico Lafond<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWhen I first got him, he was very timid and shy. Now he\u2019s very vocal and outgoing. He\u2019s very loving to me. He was very high-strung at first, but he\u2019s calmed down a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lafond shares the importance of establishing a bond with the horses they take care of and how every horse is different.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent a lot of time with him, and he became more trustworthy of me. He\u2019s now very demanding of food and attention. It shows how much when a horse trusts someone, how much they\u2019ll do. They\u2019ll do the best they can because they know that they\u2019re loved, and you take the time to understand the animal. They can\u2019t talk but they talk through physical action. If you listen as a human being and see what they really want, they will tell you. They\u2019ll give you their all if you do all that you can to make sure that they\u2019re happy and safe. You can tell if they\u2019re happy or sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lafond likes a challenge, and Morstachy\u2019s initially was one for him, due to his high-strung attitude.<\/p>\n

The horse\u2019s progress impressed Lafond.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s come a long way. I do wish I had more time with him but the time I did have with him, I got a lot accomplished. He worked the other day, and I was impressed, and the jockey was shocked too. It was the best he\u2019s ever worked, and he did it gracefully and easily.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lafond is the only one who handles Morstachy\u2019s on a day-to-day basis, something that is important for a horse like him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a really strong bond. Before he was always worried but after a week, he started to drop his guard, and he could put his head on my shoulder. Then he started bossing me around and pawing for food. It\u2019s amazing how fast he came around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Morstachy\u2019s drew Lafond to him based on how he finishes in a race.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way he closes in a race, that powerful kick that he gives. That\u2019s what got me interested in him, I love that about him. His mindset has come a long way and he\u2019s more focused now. He\u2019s really happy to actually do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year marks Lafond\u2019s first Plate starter.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though I\u2019m a small person with an underrated horse, when you take the time to learn about them and spend time with them, they\u2019ll do anything for you. They\u2019ll give their all for you once they\u2019re happy. That\u2019s the key. \u201cI\u2019m ecstatic. I\u2019m going in confident and want to make sure everyone\u2019s safe. For myself, I\u2019m the youngest trainer in the race.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for being in The King\u2019s Plate, Lafond is embracing all the excitement surrounding the big race.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to believe. Let\u2019s go for it. Whatever happens, happens, but we\u2019re in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regarding this year\u2019s historic name change, Lafond says, \u201cIt\u2019s mind-blowing. It\u2019s one to remember. You won\u2019t forget this one.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Sophie Charalambous for Woodbine Communications<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sunday marks the 164th running of The King\u2019s Plate. The last King\u2019s Plate took place in 1951, and 2023 marks the first year of the historic name change since then. The $1 million classic is the most prestigious horse race in the country and the longest continually run stakes race in North America. Ten grooms […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":5385,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-woodbine-news"],"yoast_head":"\nTen King\u2019s Plate Contenders: As Told by Their Grooms - Kings Plate<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/woodbine.com\/kingsplate\/2023\/08\/18\/ten-kings-plate-contenders-as-told-by-their-grooms\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Ten King\u2019s Plate Contenders: As Told by Their Grooms - Kings Plate\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Sunday marks the 164th running of The King\u2019s Plate. The last King\u2019s Plate took place in 1951, and 2023 marks the first year of the historic name change since then. The $1 million classic is the most prestigious horse race in the country and the longest continually run stakes race in North America. 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