Highwaytothemoon shows route capability in Plate Trial victory

TORONTO, July 19, 2026 – Highwaytothemoon passed his inaugural two turn test in polished fashion to win the $200,000 Plate Trial Stakes Sunday at Woodbine. ​ ​ ​

Ridden by regular pilot Rafael Hernandez, the gelded son of Ransom the Moon broke alertly from post position 6, and settled kindly on the rail in 3rd position, through an opening quarter mile in :23.33.

Post-time favourite Casson, pressured closely by Powell River raced 1-2 through an opening half mile in :47.84, with 2025 Coronation Futurity winner Fire and Wine pursuing in 3rd and Highwaytothemoon saving good ground in 4th position. ​ ​

Inside the 3-furlong marker, 28-1 shot Imyourmedicineman, launched a strong outside move to catapult into contention, as the field of 11 hit the 6-panel split in 1:12.32. ​ ​

Turning for home, Hernandez, who guided Highwaytothemoon to victory in the 7-furlong Queenston Stakes on June 7, angled the bay gelding off the rail, splitting Casson and Imyourmedicineman and gamely out gunned the latter to score by 1 length in the 9-furlong King’s Plate prep for 3-year-olds foaled in Canada.

The 1-mile time was 1:38.59. The final running time was 1:52.17. The Plate Trial was delayed for several minutes after Very Special was ruled a late vet scratch, resulting in riders having to dismount and reset.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked,” said winning trainer Dale Desruisseaux, who lauded his pupil’s pre-race composure and versatility. ​ ​

“His mind is so good. You could see him. He wasn’t washed out at all. He was cool and calm and he showed that in the race.” ​

“He went from 5/8ths, now a mile and 1/8th, great” ​ ​

Hernandez, who has now ridden Highwaytothemoon in 6 of his 7 career starts, including the Queenston win, noted the quality of his charge’s morning drills, including a bullet 5 panel move on June 27th in :57.80, best of 21 workers that day. ​ ​ ​

“Last couple of works, Dale said Raffy, he’s gonna run good, so I know he’s been working good and it show up today”

“He showed me a big heart, he don’t give up,” said the 3-time King’s Plate winning rider. ​ ​ ​

“He was on the bridle when I asked him to go, he was there already.”

“When I put him in gear, he gave me everything he had.” ​

Owned by Centennial Farms Inc., Highwaytothemoon was making his 4th start as a sophomore after a runner up finish in the 7-furlong King Corrie Stakes followed by a 1 1/4 length win in the 7-panel Queenston Stakes. ​ ​

Bred in Ontario by James Everatt, Janeane Everatt & Arika Everatt-Meeuse, Highwaytothemoon (Ransom the Moon – High Society Gal, by Society’s Chairman) improved to 4-1-1 from 7 career starts and 3-1-0 from 4 starts in 2026. ​ ​

Highwaytothemoon was listed at 6-1 on the morning line, went postward at 4-1 and paid $10.30 for his second consecutive stakes win. ​ ​ ​

Imyourmedicineman finished 2nd, second choice Military Time rallied for 3rd while favourite Casson rounded out the superfecta.

The 167^th running of Canada’s signature 10-furlong classic, the King’s Plate, is scheduled for Saturday August 15^th. ​

Phil McSween, Woodbine