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Top 10 Queen’s Plate contenders (through June 6)

June 6, 2011

This weekly feature offers a look at the top contenders (with her owner, trainer and most recent jockey) for the $1 million Queen’s Plate, set for June 26 at Woodbine.

#10 Head Honcho (Annecchini & D’Alimonte/Catherine Day Phillips/Jono Jones) – Now a two-time winner, after beating fellow Plate nominees last Wednesday also hoping to get to the Plate. The Strut The Stage colt needs to be faster, but has a nose for the wire.

#9 Enduring Star (West Point Thoroughbreds/Mark Casse/Eurico Rosa da Silva) – Still on the Plate trail, but he hasn’t raced since April. The Sir Shackleton colt was thought to be running in the Trial, but is likely to go straight into the Plate if he runs.

#8 Seawatch (Donver Stable/Josie Carroll/Tyler Pizarro) – Awesome maiden-breaking win in mid-May, but a start, if he goes, in this Sunday’s Victoria Park would give us a cue to the Woodman colt’s quality and current from. The son of Woodman

#7 Hippolytus (Horse’n Around Racing Stable & R. Lederman/Mark Casse/Tyler Pizarro) – 4th in the Plate Trial, but has performed better this year over last year. The Philanthropist colt has route Beyer figure of 74.

#6 Strike Oil (John Oxley/Mark Casse/Luis Contreras) – 3rd in the Plate Trial, continued to run after Check Your Soul blew by him in the race. One of three options for Luis Contreras on this list. A son of Forest Wildcat has a 79 route Beyer figure.

#5 Oh Canada (Frank DiGiulio/Robert Tiller/Luis Contreras) – skipped the Plate Trial, but based on his Woodstock win and third-place finish in the Marine, if the son of Proud Citizen wants the mile and quarter distance of the Plate, he’ll be dangerous.

#4 – Bowman’s Causeway (Martin Schwartz /Chad Brown/Eurico Rosa da Silva) – likely needed the Plate Trial after long layoff, but decent 2nd place finish in the race has him set up for the Plate. The son of Giant’s Causeway is likely to love the Plate distance.

#3 – Inglorious (Donver Stable/Josie Carroll/Luis Contreras) – big winner of the Woodbine Oaks on Sunday, lots to like including a 4-for-4 record at Woodbine. The Hennessy bay is likely to get lots of attention and she’s a legit threat to be the first since Dancethruthedawn in 2001 to sweep the two races. She is not yet confirmed for the race though.

#2 – Queen’splatekitten (Mill HouseTodd PletcherEurico Rosa da Silva) – The son of Kitten’s Joy was a no-doubt winner of the Marine and has plenty of accomplishment on his past performance chart, including a bid for a berth in the Kentucky Derby.

#1 – Check Your Soul (Charles FipkeRoger AttfieldPatrick Husbands) – The final 3 1/4-length margin and 89 Beyer figure in the Plate Trial does not do the Perfect Soul colt justice. He blew past horses like they were standing still and was shut down in the final 70 yards.

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