Mighty Heart has become a bit of a locomotive in the Canadian racing world, the little man’s folk hero, the little engine that could. On Saturday, he will attempt to become the 13th Canadian Triple Crown winner, a good omen, considering that he broke from post 13 in the Queen’s Plate last month, and was listed at odds of 13 to 1. The one-eyed wonder is the … [Read more...] about Mighty Heart’s Date with History
Queen's Plate
The beat of a Mighty Heart, 2020 Style
Thirty seconds after Woodbine race announcer Robert Geller finished calling the 161st Queen’s Plate on Sept. 12, a big, fat spider marched in by his window, and plunked himself down in front of him. “I guess he was out watching the race,” Geller said. The arachnid was probably as astonished as the rest of us. It’s 2020, after all. “Come on, Robert,” the … [Read more...] about The beat of a Mighty Heart, 2020 Style
One Bad Boy romps in the Queen’s Plate
What a scamp, that One Bad Boy, who ran off so easily with the 160th running of the Queen’s Plate, making it look like just about anything is possible. He made off with this gem of Canadian racing, worth one million Canadian bucks, pulling away at will from Canada’s top juvenile of last season, Avie’s Flatter, winning by 3 ¾ lengths, laughing. And how crazy is this? … [Read more...] about One Bad Boy romps in the Queen’s Plate
Start Your Engines for the 2019 Queen’s Plate
This is a milestone year for the Queen’s Plate: it’s the 160th running, so many years from the first, won by Don Juan. Don Juan had to run three heats to win it and defeat seven others in Toronto, which at the time had a population of 44,425. This time, there are 14 horses, and it’s one dash for $1-million in front as the crowd tries to muster up the Royal Ascot flavour. … [Read more...] about Start Your Engines for the 2019 Queen’s Plate
Two hearts as one at the Queen’s Plate
Anyone with half an eye could see that this is racing’s finest hour: when two racing industries from opposite sides of the fence have come together in one Queen’s Plate horse: Lucas n’ Lori. Lucas n’ Lori, a 3-year-old chestnut gelding that cost the princely sum of $9,000 at a yearling sale, is the tale of two cities, the crossing of a bridge, the meeting in the middle, … [Read more...] about Two hearts as one at the Queen’s Plate
A Queen’s Plate dream: Krachenwagen
Four years ago, Angus Buntain took out his trainer’s licence. Eight years ago, Jeffrey Alderson rode the first winner of his career. Somehow, they have both found their way to the Queen’s Plate, Canada’s most prestigious race, with a horse whose name sounds like “cracking heads.” Who could believe it? Krachenwagen. A big, smart gelding with only seven starts in him and one … [Read more...] about A Queen’s Plate dream: Krachenwagen
Ivan Dalos Wizardry
Ivan Dalos shakes out the equestrian gene pool from his little band of broodmares and out come more and more stakes winners, year after year. Incredible. The latest? Avie’s Flatter, impressive winner of the Coronation Futurity on Nov. 18. He’s not to be confused with Ami’s Flatter, winner of the Breeders Stakes, third jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown a few years back. … [Read more...] about Ivan Dalos Wizardry