Canada’s Triple Crown Begins Sunday With Queen’s Plate

Posted Under: News by Jim Murphy on 28th June 2016

Only the most hardcore American horse racing fans know that Canada has their own version of the Triple Crown. It begins on Sunday with the country’s oldest thoroughbred horse race–and the longest continually run race in North America–the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Race Track near Toronto. Sunday’s race will be the 157th running of the $1 million Queen’s Plate.

The favorite for the 2016 Queen’s Plate is Amis Gizmo who will start from post #10 as a 3-1 favorite morning line favorite. Amis Gizmo is one of two strong contenders in the field owned by Ivan Dalos and trained by Josie Carroll. They’ll also saddle Gamble’s Ghost who is the only filly in the field and will start from #13 as a 6-1 choice.

Trainer Carroll is pleased with both of his horses’ post position draws, starting with Amis Gizmo: “I think post 10 is fine. He’s a very tactical horse. He’s very easy to place. From that vantage point, Luis will be able to do what he wants with him.” As far as Gamble’s Ghost is concerned the #13 position is also acceptable “She’s a filly that doesn’t have a lot of speed anyway. She’s a deep closer. There’s a long run into that first turn, and there’s plenty of time to tuck in and get position.”

The second choice on the morning line is Leavem in Malibu at 7-2 who will start from post position #4. Gary Boulanger is the jockey and the horse is trained by Mark Casse, Canada’s most decorated trainer. The popular choice in futures betting late last year was Shakhimat who will start from post #6 at odds of 5-1.

Here are the full odds for the Queen’s Plate in order of post position:

1 Mike 30-1
2 Narrow Escape 30-1
3 All On Red 12-1
4 Leavem in Malibu 7-2
5 Sir Dudley Digges 15-1
6 Shakhimat 5-1
7 My Name Is Jim 30-1
8 Rocket Plan 30-1
9 Cheburashka 30-1
10 Amis Gizmo 3-1
11 Esposito 8-1
12 Scholar Athlete 12-1
13 Gamble’s Ghost 6-1

Of particular interest is the #12 horse, Scholar Athlete. He’s an Ontario bred horse owned by well known US racing syndicate West Point Thoroughbreds. Trained by Graham Motion, Scholar Athlete will try to become the first American based horse to win the Queen’s Plate since Wild Desert in 2005.