TORONTO, April 24, 2026 – One of the early King’s Plate favourites, Fire and Wine, is preparing for his first race with the 2026 Woodbine racing season having just got underway. The three-year old colt by Lexitonian has secured two consecutive wins and three thirds in his seven career starts for long-time trainer Zeljko Krcmar and owner Paul Ryder, breaking his maiden by 13 lengths in October of 2025. Slade Jones, who received the 2022 Sovereign Award as Canada’s Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, was aboard for the $40,000 Maiden Optional Claiming race. “I’d been working really hard with the horse throughout the year,” said Jones. “I think I first got on him in August and it felt like a really nice horse. I didn’t know he was that good, but then we broke his maiden. I knew he was a good horse from there.” In the colt’s most recent race, in November of 2025, the 19-year-old jockey led Fire and Wine to an impressive five-length victory in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity Stakes, at 16-1. Fire and Wine and jockey Slade Jones winning the Coronation Futurity Stakes on November 29, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “I felt really good,” said Jones. “To finally win with him in the Coronation – I was a little surprised myself, but you know he’s a good horse.” Gail Lunan, from the Zeljko Krcmar barn, works with Fire and Wine every day and said the young charge surpassed the team’s expectations. “It was a pleasure to watch the horse run,” said Lunan “Fire just kicked into a third gear and he was not tired when he came back. He just was bouncing along, loving every minute of it.” Tafari Chang has been a groom for nearly two decades and has worked with Fire and Wine for two years. “To me, he’s just very playful,” said Chang. “He’s just very smart, friendly, just loves attention.” The bay colt has grown into his body over the winter. “Fire is a very mature horse for his age,” said Chang. His win in the Coronation makes Fire and Wine a strong early favourite for the King’s Plate. Fire and Wine and jockey Slade Jones winning the Coronation Futurity Stakes on November 29, 2025 at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo) “You know you have a good shot to accomplish what you really want to accomplish,” said Chang. “It’s a blessing to have a horse like this. This year, we’re going to have a great season for sure.” Krcmar agrees. He has already started working on Fire and Wine’s planned racing timeline for the season. “I’m probably going to give him one race in June and then, maybe, probably for King’s Trial for the race before the King’s Plate,” said Krcmar. “Then after that, we will see how it runs.” Fire and Wine is not the only talent that has stood out for Krcmar. He said if all goes according to plan, this season will be successful for the horse and his jockey, Slade Jones, including a date in the King’s Plate. “He will have a first shot on that horse,” said Krcmar. “He will ride him. If everything goes normally.” Lunan said Jones and the horse are well suited. “They’re both a pleasure. They’re very similar in personality,” she said. “They’re both very keen and they love what they’re doing.” With no timed works yet, Fire and Wine’s connections are planning an official work in the next couple weeks. Lunan noted, “Fire is ready. He’s good to go. And he’s strong. And he’s happy.” Even though Fire and Wine is still young, Krcmar noted, “he’s by far the best, no question,” comparing the horse to the other horses he has trained. “It scared me how good he is.” The multiple graded stakes-winning octogenarian has surely trained enough horses during his long career to recognize a winner when he sees one. Anna Jeffs, for Woodbine Share This:Share
