Early Bird 2010 Queen's Plate Contenders

**UPDATE**
9AMEST: Several sources are reporting on a 1PM press conference where it is expected Oaklawn Park officials might announce that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta will square off in the Apple Blossom Handicap on April 3rd. Whether or not the track has already lined up the participants or is simply putting forth a lucrative enticement remains to be seen. Please see reports by Mary Rempellini, Bill Finley and Jerry Bossert. Confirmation on this story to be posted following the press conference.

12:45PM EST: Oaklawn Park has offered a $5M Purse should both Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta both start the Apple Blossom. The race will be extended from the traditional 1 1/16M to 1 1/8M to accomodate. Now the racing world will wait to hear from owners Jess Jackson and Jerry Moss about their status.

Woodbine racing fans should take a look at the cool WEGFeatures Youtube page with video from Friday's Sovereign Awards.


Now back to regularly scheduled Early Bird 2010 Queen's Plate Contenders
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All across the blogosphere handicappers are weighing in with their opinions about Kentucky Derby contenders. Check out the Paulick Report Derby Index, HorseRacing Nation and Jeremy Plonk's Countdown To The Crown for some excellent analysis.

Triple Dead Heat is hopping on the bandwagon ~ Canadian style ~ by launching a brand new Plate Contenders tab on the homepage which will track the top contenders for the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.

*Please be sure to take advantage of all the new TABS underneath the Triple Dead Heat logo at the top of the page. Woodbine News links to all the latest news that affects Woodbine trainers, horses and jocks. SnowBirds tracks the entries and results of Woodbine-based trainers currently competing in the United States. These tabs update DAILY.

2010 will mark the 151st running of the Queen's Plate - the longest continuously run stakes race in North America. The race is restricted to Three-Year-Olds foaled in Canada competing for a purse worth $1,000,000.
For now, I have restricted this list of nearly 50 horses to just the colts and geldings.

However, GII Forward Gal winner Bickersons is one of several fillies who could be this year's Milwaukee Appeal or Tasty Temptation trying to take on the boys. Resentless, Jenny's So Great and Sam-Son Farms Wild Strike (Smart Strike) are others that come to mind.

Owners generaly do not bother making early payments to keep their fillies eligible for the male-dominated Canadian Triple Crown, but a $25,000 supplemental fee will grant the particulary adventurous owner the privilege of contesting the $1-million race.

I'm always interested in hearing your opinions on potential contenders, so if the horse you like is not on the list, please email me.

2010 Queen's Plate Contenders
(Click on the name of the horse to view pedigree.)

1. Hollinger
Owner: Robert Harvey and A. Wortzman - Breeder: Robert Harvey and A. Wortzman - Trainer: Roger Attfield - Jockey: Tyler Pizarro

Canada's Sovereign Award winning two-year-old is a winner of all four starts, including an impressive tilt on the turf in the Cup & Saucer that suggests the Attfield trainee has the credentials to take a shot at the multi-surface Triple Crown. (Plate on poly; Prince of Wales on dirt; Breeders on the E.P. Taylor turf)

Hollinger and jockey Tyler Pizarro worked hard to find racing room deep in the stretch to win the Coronation Futurity. This is a potential Kentucky Derby horse.

Key Results:

11/8 Coronation Futurity (Woodbine) Hollinger -- Stormy Lord -- D's Wando

10/18 Cup & Saucer (Woodbine) Hollinger -- Stormy Lord -- Mobil Unit

2. Hotep
Owner: Sam-son Farms - Breeder: Sam-Son Farms - Trainer: Mark Frostad - Jockey: Robby Albarado / Rob Landry

Hotep broke his maiden impressively on Feb 1st at the Fair Grounds and launched himself into several lists as a Kentucky Derby contender. His next start could come in the Louisiana Derby.

Hotep is a full brother to 2009 Queen's Plate winner Eye of the Leopard.

3. D's Wando
Owner: D's Stable, Riviera Racing Stable and Yorktech Racing Stable - Breeder: Gustav Schickedanz - Trainer: Ian Black - Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson

The Wando colt started his career by placing twice before storming home a winner on August 16th at Woodbine. Emma-Jayne Wilson and Ian Black have teamed up previously for Queen's Plate success and the hard fought third place finish in the Coronation Futurity suggests D's Wando is one to watch. D’s Wando is out of multiple stakes winner Silver Taler.

Key Results
11/8 Coronation Futurity (Woodbine) Hollinger -- Stormy Lord -- D's Wando

4. Ghost Fleet
Owner: Jim Dandy Stable - Breeder: Mel P. Lawson - Trainer: Sid C. Attard - Jockey: Patrick Husbands

Multiple stakes winner Ghost Fleet knows his way to the winners circle. Ghost Fleet broke his maiden on July 19 over Waldheim and Set in Stone at 5 1/2F. Impressive wins in the Vandal over Takiddm and Mobthewarrior and the Swynford over filly Jenny's So Great put this horse on the radar.

A close fourth place finish in the Coronation Futurity demonstrated an ability at longer distance as he kept the highly rated - though inexperienced at the time - Hotep a step behind.

Key Results
8/9 Vandal Stakes (Woodbine) (ONT) Ghost Fleet -- Takiddm -- Mobthewarrior
9/13 Swynford Stakes (Woodbine) Ghost Fleet -- Jenny's So Great -- Turf Melody

5. Stormy Lord
Owner: Hat Trick Stable and Kinghaven Farms - Breeder: Kinghaven Farms Limited - Trainer: Ian Black - Jockey: James McAleney

This speedster came within steps of beating Hollinger in the Coronation Futurity to end the 2009 campaign. Another runner with some sneaky turf ability, the Ian Black charge set a rapid pace finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Win & You're In Summer Stakes won by Bridgetown. The Stormy Atlantic colt broke his maiden on Jul 18 at 6F over Boadini and Kwik Costa.
6. Who's Big Daddy
Owner: Hard Eight Stables Inc. and Ace Racing Stable Inc. - Breeder: Hard Eight Stables Inc., R. Fairlie & S. Fairlie - Trainer: Scott Fairlie - Jockey: Gerry Olguin

After breaing the maiden on June 14 over Mobil Unit and Sleipnir in a 4.5F sprint, this unusually named horse won the Clarendon and then just missed in the Colin.

Key Results
7/4 Clarendon Stakes (Woodbine) (ONT) Who's Big Daddy -- Takiddm -- Doctor Jack
7/18 Colin Stakes (Woodbine) Fearless Cowboy -- Who's Big Daddy -- Always Wildcatin'

7. Mobthewarrior
Owner: Andrew V. Fredericks - Breeder: Gustav Schickedanz - Trainer: Gregory de Gannes - Jockey: Emile Ramsammy

The dark bay son of champion Mobil romped to victory by six lengths in his first start. A subsequent string of stakes showings proved the de Gannes gelding carried considerable class topped with an impressive victory in the Frost King Stakes.

Key Results
8/9 Vandal Stakes (Woodbine) (ONT) Ghost Fleet -- Takiddm -- Mobthewarrior
9/7 Simcoe Stakes (Woodbine) (C&G) (ONT) Fastin Bear -- Mobthewarrior -- Doctor Jack
10/11 Grey Stakes (Woodbine) Bear Tough Guy -- Korvette Kid -- Mobthewarrior
11/4 Frost King Stakes (Woodbine) Mobthewarrior -- Bold Canadian -- D's Legend Storm

8. Giant's Tomb
Owner: Sam-Son Farm - Breeder: Sam-Son Farm - Trainer: Mark R. Frostad - Jockey: Rob Landry/Patrick Husbands
The Sam-Son horse defeated Waldheim and Spirit Flying on November 14th to break his maiden going 1/16M. Currently racing at Fair Grounds with Mark Frostad.

Key Results
12/5 Display Stakes (Woodbine) Bear's Hard Ten -- Giant's Tomb -- Redverse

9. Joey's Best
Owner: Gordon Cappuccitti - Breeder: Gordon Cappuccitti - Trainer: Audre Cappuccitti - Jockey: Patrick Husbands
Joey's Best had a horrible start to his race on October 17th won by D's Legend Storm. The game horse came on to finish fifth and rewarded his followers on Nov 28th with a win in the Kingarvie Stakes.

Key Results
11/28 Kingarvie Stakes (Woodbine) (ONT) Joey's Best -- Bold Canadian -- Golden Girl Sue

10. D's Legend Storm
Owner: Chateau Kentucky Ranch and Sadio Maragh - Breeder: Chateau Kentucky Ranch, Patrick Paul & Yvonne Connage - Trainer: Norm De Souza - Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva

D's Legend Storm fought bravely on the lead to break his maiden October 17th putting away Quiet Moon and then digging in during the stretch to dismiss Shades of Gold. Joey's Best finished fifth in that start after a horrible start.

D's Legend Storm would finish third on November 4th in the Frost King Stakes.
Key Results
11/4 Frost King Stakes (Woodbine) Mobthewarrior -- Bold Canadian -- D's Legend Storm

11. Empire Rising
Owner: Sam-Son Farm - Breeder: Sam-Son Farm - Trainer: Mark R. Frostad - Jockey: Gerry Olguin

Imposing name with breeding to match (Empire Maker - Seeking the Ring by Seeking the Gold) finished 2nd at Woodbine on August 30 at a mile and 70 yards on the poly.

12. Takiddm
Owner: Donver Stable - Breeder: Donver Stables- Trainer: Josie Carroll - Jockey: Rob Landry

Takiddm broke his maiden at 5F on Jun 21 over Southern Legend and Kwik Costa. Later in the meet, the Mutakddim colt would chase home Ghost Fleet and Who's Big Daddy in Stakes events.

Key Results
8/9 Vandal Stakes (Woodbine) 1. Ghost Fleet 2. Takiddm 3. Mobthewarrior
7/4 Clarendon Stakes (Woodbine) 1. Who's Big Daddy 2. Takiddm 3. Doctor Jack

13. Big Red Mike
Owner: Terra Racing Stable - Breeder: Terra Farms Ltd - Trainer: Nicholas Gonzalez - Jockey: Emma-Jayne Wilson

Big Red Mike broke his maiden on December 6th going 7F in a $65K MSW at Woodbine defeating True Strike and Pointless Love.

14. Legal Review
Owner: Woodford Racing LLC - Breeder: Dr. R. K. House - Trainer: Mark E. Casse - Jockey: Patrick Husbands
Legal Review broke his maiden on August 9th defeating Foxley and Shades of Gold in a 5 1/2F MSW. Later in 2009, the Bold Executive colt would capture the Bull Page Stakes.

Key Results
10/12 Bull Page Stakes (Woodbine) (C&G) Legal Review -- Doctor Jack -- Arepeatee

15. Mobil Unit
Owner: G. Schickedanz and D. Howard - Breeder: Gustav Schickedanz - Trainer: Michael Keogh - Jockey: Jono C. Jones
This Mobil runner ran second to Who's Big Daddy at 4 1/2 furlongs on June 14th but impressed most on the turf finishing third to Hollinger and Stormy Lord in the Cup & Saucer and a trying fourth in the Summer Stakes won by Bridgetown. Mobil unit won his first race Aug 3 defeating Where Is 'em and Power Wow on the turf speeding 6F to victory.

NOTABLE CONTENDERS

Abogado
Owner: Fieldstone Farms, Inc. - Breeder: Clarity Stables - Trainer: Analisa M. Delmas - Jockey: Tyler Pizarro

Abogado broke his maiden on the overnight October 21, 2009 travelling 1M16th on the Woodbine poly to defeat Wun Mo Wound and Lets Kickit. The Delmas charge swooped from last to first in a thrilling stretch run for the victory.

Fastin Bear
Owner: Bear Stables, Ltd. - Breeder: Farr Bloodstock Inc. - Trainer: Reade Baker - Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva
Fastin Bear just barely broke his maiden over a hard-charging Southern Pride on Jul 5 in a 5F sprint -D's Wando finished third in that event ran in :58.60.
Fastin Bear would go on to win the Simcoe Stakes in September.

Key Results
9/7 Simcoe Stakes (Woodbine) (C&G) (ONT) Fastin Bear -- Mobthewarrior -- Doctor Jack

Doctor Jack
Owner: R.M.C. Stable - Breeder: Gardiner Farms Limited - Trainer: Daniel J. Vella - Jockey: James McAleney

Doctor Jack did well to break his maiden on Jul 26 over Arepeatee and Old Bud. Later in the campaign Doctor Jack performed well to hit the board in the Simcoe and Bull Page Stakes.

Key Results
7/4 Clarendon Stakes (Woodbine) (ONT) Who's Big Daddy -- Takiddm -- Doctor Jack
9/7 Simcoe Stakes (Woodbine) (C&G) (ONT) Fastin Bear -- Mobthewarrior -- Doctor Jack
10/12 Bull Page Stakes (Woodbine) (C&G) Legal Review -- Doctor Jack -- Arepeatee

Bold Canadian
Owner: Heiligbrodt Racing Stable - Breeder: Bonny Breeze Acres - Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen - Jockey: Luis Contreras

Bold Canadian broke his maiden on Jul 9 at 5F over King of the Swamp and Where's The Fire. An impressive second in the Frost King Stakes in November, this one has room to grow.

Key Results
11/4 Frost King Stakes (Woodbine) Mobthewarrior -- Bold Canadian -- D's Legend Storm

Arepeatee
Owner: Robert P. Tiller - Breeder: Gardiner Farms Limited - Trainer: Robert P. Tiller - Jockey: Chantal Sutherland

Arepeatee broke his maiden on September 20th in a 6F sprint over Foxley and Lets Kickit. The Tiller trainee returned to finish 3rd on October 12th in the Bull Page Stakes won by Legal Review.

Key Results
10/12 Bull Page Stakes (Woodbine) (C&G) Legal Review -- Doctor Jack -- Arepeatee

Where's The Fire
Owner: Gail Lunan - Breeder: Zeljko Krcmar & Gail Lunan - Trainer: Zeljko Krcmar - Jockey: Matt Moore
Where's The Fire defeated fellow Where's the Ring gelding Where's Ringo and the superbly named Kevin Rawks to win a 5F $56K MSW to break his maiden on Nov 25th at Woodbine.

Roman Games
Owner: Robert Smithen - Breeder: Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc - Trainer: Paul Attard - Jockey: Robert C. Landry
Roman Games knocked off Big Red Mike and Trelawny with a smart rail run to break his maiden on November 21, 2009 racing 6 1/2F to victory in a $64K MSW. Big Red Mike was flying at the end of that one and broke his maiden shortly thereafter.

Battle Royal
Owner: Breeder: William S. Farish Jr. - Breeder: Breeder: William S. Farish Jr. - Trainer: Mark E. Casse - Jockey: Patrick Husbands

Battle Royal broke his maiden on the lead September 12th over Waldheim (It is me, or does the KY-bred Waldheim have some trouble getting his picture taken) and the excellent Giant's Tomb.

Essence Hit Man
Owner: Audre and Gordon Cappuccitti - Breeder: Audre and Gordon Cappuccitti - Trainer: Audre Cappuccitti - Jockey: Todd Kabel

This one made his first mark on August 6th August 6th in a 5F sprint over Loveyouallthetime and Ready Response. The well bred Speightstown colt rocketed to the lead and never looked back winning in a time of :57.20.

General Staff
Owner: Quintessential Racing and Horse'n Around Racing Stable - Breeder: Josham Farms Limited - Trainer: Mark E. Casse - Jockey: Corey Fraser

General Staff stole through on the rail to break his maiden on October 3rd defeating Pointless Love and Southern Legend at 7F.

Powermouse
Owner: Charles Laloggia - Breeder: Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey - Trainer: Mark E. Casse - Jockey: Corey Fraser

Purchased for $45K at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 2008 Select Yearling Sale
Forever Awesome
Owner: Stronach Stables - Breeder: Adena Springs - Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher - Jockey: Patrick Husbands

The Adena colt has tried the turf three times winning first out at Delaware going 1M70 to capture a $38K MSW. That win came over a Milwauke Brew horse by the name of Thunder Brew. Subsequent 9th and 8th place finishes in the Cup & Saucer and a Jan 13/10 Gulstream N1X Allowance leaves a little to be desired. The Awesome Again colt has the talent but remains to be seen how he will handle the Woodbine poly.

Race For Gold
Owner: The Very Dry Stable - Breeder: Jay Cochlin - Trainer: Robert P. Tiller - Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
Race For Gold broke his maiden first time out on November 1st sprinting to victory over Old Bud and Lost The Ring in a time of 1:11.35

It's Time Bear
Owner: Bear Stables Ltd. - Breeder: Gardiner Farms Limited - Trainer: Reade Baker - Jockey: Eurico Rosa da Silva

It's Time Bear sprinted to his first victory over Where's The Fire and Kevin Rawks at 5F on Sep 6th at Woodbine.

Silent Running
Owner: J., D., A., C., and F. Pirone - Breeder: J. Pirone, D. Pirone, , C. Pirone & F. Pirone- Trainer: Robert Earl Barnett - Jockey: Chantal Sutherland

Silent Running broke his maiden November 28, 2009 going 7F in a $56K MSW at Woodbine defeating Beihai Park and My Knight Indeed. Beihai Park looked to be making a decisive run to catch the lead of Silent Running but that one turned wide into the stretch. Silent Running galloped out well.

King of the Swamp
Owner: Ramon Dominguez Jr. - Breeder: Tom Pendleton - Trainer: Sandra Dominguez - Jockey: Gerry Olguin
King of the Swamp fought hard through the stretch to get his picture taken on Sep 5 defeating Mipote and Old Bud in a 7F sprint. Arepeatee was also in this field.

Ascot Matt
Owner: Beclawat Stable - Breeder: Beclawat Stable - Trainer: Steve Attard - Jockey: Chantal Sutherland

Chantal Sutherland and Ascot Matt partnered up to break the maiden going 1M70 on Aug 30 comfortably ahead of a rallying Empire Rising.

Born to Act
Owner: Sam-Son Farm - Breeder: Sam-Son Farm - Trainer: Mark Frostad - Jockey: Todd Kabel
The Theatrical (IRE) colt rallied last to first on August 28 to defeat Southern Legend and Benestar in a 6F sprint on the turf at Woodbine. This one showed impressive turn of foot in the late going.

Flim Flam
Owner: Quintessential Racing and Horse'n Around Racing Stable - Breeder: Spring Farm - Trainer: Mark E. Casse - Jockey: Patrick Husbands
Flim Flam defeated It's time Bear and Mipote in a 6F sprint on Aug 23 to break his maiden.

Southern Pride
Owner: Bill and Vicki Poston - Breeder: Windfields Farm - Trainer: Gregory de Gannes - Jockey: Emile Ramsammy
Southern Pride defeated D's Wando and Vezeau Beach to break his maiden Aug 1 at Woodbine. This one always seems to have energy - and a lack of racing room - late

NEED TO SEE MORE

Ruhtro
Owner: Quintessential Racing - Breeder: Mark Casse - Trainer: Mark E. Casse - Jockey: Corey Fraser
Ruhtro won on the grass going 6F to defeat Benestar on August 3rd. Ruhtro would later try the Summer Stakes without much luck.

Atlantic Key
Owner: Knob Hill Stable - Breeder: Hill 'N' Dale Farms - Trainer: - Jockey:
Grittani
Owner: Jam Jar Racing Stable - Breeder: Larry Spindler - Trainer: John A. Ross - Jockey:

Grittani was a winner Jul 28 over Old Bud and Hood Point at just 4 1/2F.

Kevin Rawks
Owner: Lynne Bunting - Breeder: Gardiner Farms Limited - Trainer: Nelson L. Bunting - Jockey: Brian A. Cheyne

Kid Canuck
Owner: John A. Richter - Breeder: Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey - Trainer: Steve Attard - Jockey: Chantal Sutherland

The Kitten's Joy colt Kid Canuck broke his maiden July 24th in a 6F sprint over Kirkland Lake and Kings Conquest.

Vicar Street
Owner: Annecchini&D'Alimonte Hldgs, Inc. - Breeder: Beclawat Stable - Trainer: Catherine Day Phillips - Jockey: Justin Stein

$51K purchase at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) 2008 Canadian-Bred Yearling Sale

Abruptly
Owner: Centennial Farms (Niagara) Inc. - Breeder: F. Russo & C. Russo - Trainer: Donald C. MacRae - Jockey: Martin Ramos Ramirez

Abruptly broke his maiden October 4th defeating Where's The Fire and Old Bud at 5 1/2F.

Dashing Tom
Owner: Jim and Susan Hill - Breeder: Michael C. Byrne - Trainer: Reade Baker - Jockey: Eurico Rosa Da Silva

Dashing Tom defeated Old Bud and Kevin Rawks on November 13 to break his maiden going 6F at Woodbine.

Dixie Trouper
Owner: David A. Ross - Breeder: Josham Farms Limited - Trainer: Michael V. Pino - Jockey: Patrick Husbands
Dixie Trouper broke his maiden on September 27 sprinting to the wire ahead of Loveyouallthetime and Spirit Flying.