Top Contenders: #9 Fev Rover (6-1) has been impressive this year since joining the Casse barn. Gutsy, game effort in the G2 Canadian last out over Crystal Cliffs. This will be her third start of the year after a long layoff and over this course which gives her the home court advantage. Love her outside draw as she should be able to get good position stalking Adventuring who I am expecting to set the pace. Last time, she tried this distance was in the Bahrain International against the classy Lord Glitters. Finished fourth by two lengths which is a solid race, faced some other very tough company last year during her campaign in Mother Earth and Saffron Beach to name a few. Is in great form currently with room to move forward. #3 Moira (3-1) the dominant winner of both the Woodbine Oaks and Queen’s Plate. Is set to make her turf debut, which looks to be a tall task. However, she has been so impressive that with this Grade 1 stake being in her own backyard, why not give it a shot? I appreciate the connections testing her to see where she stacks up considering she has been winning by daylight. Important to note that Sir for Sure and Hall of Dreams, who ran first and second in the Breeders’ Stakes last weekend, she beat them by 10-plus lengths in the Plate. Also worthy to note that she has been battle tested as she fought for her first win this year at a much shorter distance, and ran out of ground finishing second last year in the Mazarine. She loves distance and is bred for this surface. Expect her to come flying down the lane trying to mow them all down #2 Adventuring (7-2) looks to be the pace, unless Fev Rover goes. She has a high cruising speed which is dangerous as we saw last out at Kentucky Downs. Hasn’t lost a race yet this year and will also be making her third start off a long layoff which is an angle I like. Distance is no issue but a tussle up front could create chaos for her. She gets Lasix as well. #4 Rougir (5-2) has been underwhelming so far this year, however she has been competing in mostly Grade 1’s against very tough company. Only missed the board once at this distance out of three tries, also gets Lasix and Kazushi Kimura as her pilot. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a rebound effort from her. *Longshot Play: #6 Flirting Bridge (10-1) was a closing third to Fev Rover and Crystal Cliffs in the above-mentioned G2 Canadian. She has every right to improve second time over the course which we tend to see happen here. Also lightly raced this year so far, only making her fourth start with local jockey David Moran piloting. She should sit a favourable stalking trip and may get the jump if there is a hot pace. My Plays: 6-1 on Fev Rover is a fabulous price. Win bet. Will use her and Moira on top in my exacta 9,3/2,4,6 underneath and same for the trifecta. I also believe 3-1 is fair in Moira and it may even float higher with so many questions about surface, older company and class. However, sentimentally, I would love to see her make history by winning. No other Queen’s Plate winner has won the E.P. Taylor Stakes. Good luck however you play! Sheri Riddoch/@gofilly, For Woodbine Communications/ @woodbinecomms Sheri Riddoch Share This:Share
