THE 166TH KING'S PLATE - WOODBINE

The field for the King’s Plate at Woodbine on August 16 is taking shape after the completion of the Plate Trial and Woodbine Oaks on July 20.

Over $7.4 million was played on the card, and the Plate Trial saw a field of 9 competing in the key prep for the Plate. Sedbury’s Ghost, son of former Queen’s Plate winner Shaman Ghost, looked every bit the champion as he rated kindly and then exploded down the stretch to win going away with jockey Ryan Munger. It looks like the 1 ¼ mile distance of the Plate should suit him well and trainer Barb Minshall is excellent at preparing route runners.

Favourite Notorious Gangster had a troubled trip but closed stoutly to be second. Trained by Josie Carroll, the Queenston winner should excel at the Plate distance.

The winner of the Woodbine Oaks, No Time, looked confident every step of the way. Expertly handled by John Velazquez for trainer Mark Casse, she scored a mild upset as the fourth choice and returned $15.50. The Mark Casse trifecta returned $90.75 for $1 ticket with the logical top two betting choices running second and third.

Casse said he will be running No Time in the Plate. He knows the kind of filly it takes to win, having scored in the 2014 Queen’s Plate with Lexie Lou and again in 2018 with Wonder Gadot for owner Gary Barber, who also owns No Time.

Look forward to lots of excellent betting opportunities and big pools on Plate Day!