TORONTO, May 15, 2025– Church and State, a son of Caravaggio out of the Vindication mare Full Snow Moon, will make his second start of 2025 in Sunday’s $100,000 King Corrie Stakes, a seven-furlong main track event for 3-year-olds, at Woodbine. Fourth in the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway Park in January, Church and State was slated to run in the Woodstock Stakes on Apr. 27 at Woodbine but was scratched on the day of the race. “He came up with a little virus before the Woodstock, so we had to skip it,” said trainer Dale Desruisseaux. “But he’s doing well and we’re looking forward to this one.” Owned by Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc., the grey posted a pair of wins to launch his career in the latter stages of 2024. Church and State “Physically, when you look at him, he’s not an imposing horse,” said Desruisseaux. “He’s kind of like a greyhound. When we started breezing him a bit longer leading up to his first start, you could see he was moving in the right direction. He’s got his quirks – usually the good ones do – but they are not unmanageable.” In his career bow, a seven-furlong main track race on November 15 at Woodbine, Church and State came from second-last of 11 to secure a 2 ½-length victory at 9-1. “It was a very good race,” recalled Desruisseaux. “I didn’t think he would be as far back as he was – I think Raffi [jockey, Hernandez] took him back. We had an inside post, and I think sometimes those young first-time starters look at the gap and lean that way, so Raffi moved him to the outside behind horses, which ended up working out great. “He’s pretty handy. You can put him wherever you want. Visually, it was an impressive race. He made a nice move around the turn and exploded down the lane. I kind of expected him to run that type of race, where he sits off the pace and comes with a nice run.” Three weeks later, on December 6, Church and State, bred in Kentucky by DP Racing, LLC, posted a one-length win at one mile and 70 yards over the same course. Church and State and jockey Rafael Hernandez winning Race 3 on December 6, 2024 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “That was the true test. To be honest, I’m not sure he’s a two-turn horse, but he won that race on talent. I think he’ll end up being a seven-eighths, miler type of horse. I’m looking forward to getting him on the turf as well.” As for the Leonatus effort, Desruisseaux said, “The weather wasn’t great, and we missed a lot of training, spending about two weeks in the barn. Right before they got back to racing, they cultivated the track, and it was a deep surface. He was very tired after the race. I just don’t think he handled the track that day.” A $15,000 (USD) purchase at the Keeneland Association January 2023 Horses of All Ages sale, Church and State had posted a trio of breezes leading up to the Woodstock. The gelding travelled five panels on the main track in 1:00.80 on Saturday in preparation for his run in the King Corrie. “He breezed well on the weekend and we’re on track for Sunday,” said Desruisseaux. “We’re looking forward to it and hopefully, he can come up with another strong performance.” Matt Wray is the groom. My Boy Prince, ridden by Patrick Husbands, and trained by Mark Casse, won last year’s King Corrie. The King Corrie is slated as Race 8 on Sunday’s 10-race card, with a first post of 1:05 p.m. The wagering menu for the race includes Rolling Double, Exacta, .20 Trifecta, .20 Superfecta, .20 Pick 3 (Races 8-9-10) and $1 Swinger. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and bet365.com. Field for the King Corrie Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer 1 – Hibiscus – Sofia Vives – Josie Carroll 2 – Incoming – Ryan Munger – Gail Cox 3 – Madame Obey – Fraser Aebly – Josie Carroll 4 – Thundering – Eswan Flores – Patrick Dixon 5 – Church and State – Rafael Hernandez – Dale Desruisseaux 6 – Graffiti Writer – Jose Campos – Steven Chircop Chris Lomon, Woodbine Share This:Share
