Photo Essay: Weekend Wrapup and Queen's Plate Contenders

While the racing world focused on the Kentucky Derby, many Woodbine locals turned their attention to some serious prep races for the Queen's Plate. Canada's preeminent race for three year-olds goes to post Sunday June 21st and this weekend saw El Brujo confirm his contender status with a win in the Queenston Stakes. Not to be outdone, Ian Black's Southdale broke his maiden in buzz-worthy style crushing a field of 14 horses and earning an 88 Beyer figure in the process.

Congratulations to jockey Jim McAleney who posted his 2,000th career win Sunday at Woodbine. This blog wholeheartedly approves Jimmy Mac's dramatic dead-heat victory aboard Whiskeyontherocks and suggests that the veteran try for a Triple Dead Heat when recording his 3,000th win. Always a gentleman, McAleney is one of the best quotes at Woodbine and his shrewd rides make each of his mounts one to consider.

Earlier today, the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame announced 22 nominations including 15 horses and seven people. Representing both breeds of horses, the thoroughbred nominees include Wando, Victory Gallop, Alywow, Peteski, and Play The King to name a few. On the standardbred side, Somebeachsomewhere should coast into the hall in typically cool fashion. Click the link to see the full list of nominations

Foaled in Ontario, Victory Gallop, is best remembered for his rivalry with Real Quiet. Victory Gallop would shock the New York punters with a photo-finish win in the Belmont Stakes to end the Triple Crown dreams of Real Quiet. It's a race you can watch over and over again.


I stole away from the TV monitors at Woodbine on Saturday to snap a few photos of the Queen's Plate hopefuls contesting the Queenston Stakes. Enjoy!

(As always, left-click to enlarge the photo then click the "Back" button to return to the blog.)

Up close and personal with Bucephalus.



Active Duty makes his way out of the paddock.


El Brujo crosses the wire first ahead of Shut It Down



Triple Dead Heat stable star Active Duty coasts home in third place.


Cape Canaveral colt Bucephalus gets up for fourth.


Parabola cools down after a hard day's work.


A muscular El Brujo on his way to the trophy presentation


El Brujo and his connections in the winners' enclosure.


All smiles at the post-race presentation for the Queenston Stakes