TORONTO, July 8, 2022 – Woodbine today released its latest rankings of the top contenders for this year’s 163rd running of The Queen’s Plate. The Queen’s Plate Power Rankings are determined based on votes submitted by a group of Woodbine broadcast personalities, industry media members and handicappers. This year’s voters are Jeff Bratt, Robert Geller, Ron Gierkink, Chris Lomon, Sheri Riddoch and Monique Vág. On the heels of a dominating victory in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes (July 2), Rondure garnered the most votes from the panel to grab the top spot. The Katerina Vassilieva trainee has won two of three starts this season, with his lone defeat being a game narrow runner-up finish to The Minkster in the Queenston Stakes. Rondure earned five of the six first-place votes. Rondure capturing the Grade 3 Marine Stakes on July 2. (Michael Burns Photos) Daniel Vella trainee The Minkster is the lone horse from the prior rankings to remain in the top-five. The Minkster is a perfect three for three in his young career and has not raced since the Queenstone victory. He most recently worked on July 2 at Woodbine, breezing five-furlongs in 1:00.40. An honourable mention in the first ranking, Duke of Love slots in third after finishing second in last Saturday’s Grade 3 Marine. The Josie Carroll trainee finished fourth in the Queenston and was victorious in his season debut (Allowance Optional Claiming) on May 7. Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes winner Interstatedaydream is the lone filly in the latest rankings. The Brad Cox trainee is a question mark for the Plate, as she is not currently eligible and would need to be supplemented. The filly is eligible to the July 24th Woodbine Oaks, presented by Budweiser, however, Cox has the standout filly entered in this Saturday’s Grade 3 Indiana Oaks at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Gail Cox trainee Dancin in Da’nile moves from an honourable mention to fifth in the rankings. The Sam-Son Farm homebred finished a close third in his season debut on June 12, competing in an Allowance event over the Inner-Turf. The Cox student worked four-furlongs Thursday morning over the Woodbine dirt training track in :49.20. The 163rd Queen’s Plate is scheduled for Sunday, August 21 at Woodbine Racetrack and tickets are on sale now. Fans can track the power rankings and all information regarding the Queen’s Plate by visiting QueensPlate.com and on Woodbine’s social media platforms via @WoodbineTB. Queen’s Plate Power Rankings (July 8, 2022) Rank: Horse (Career Record, Earnings) – Trainer – Points – First Place Votes – Previous Rank 1: Rondure (5-2-1-0, $152,735) – Katerina Vassilieva – 28 – 5 – NR 2: The Minkster (3-3-0-0, $224,898) – Danie Vella – 23 – 1 – 1st 3: Duke of Love (5-2-1-0, $121,850) – Josie Carroll – 12 – 0 – NR 4: Interstatedaydream (5-3-1-1, $351,225) – Brad Cox – 8 – 0 – NR 5: Dancin in Da’nile (4-1-1-1, $106,345) – Gail Cox – 7 – 0 – NR Honourable Mention: Causin’ Mayhem, Moira, Ironstone Share This:Share
