Photo Essay: Plate Post Position Draw and Anil Kapoor visits Woodbine

With the 152nd Queen's Plate rapidly approaching, Woodbine is a very busy place. Thursday was a particularly hectic day which started with the post position draw and finished with a visit from film star Anil Kapoor. (Many photos below...)

The Plate trophy is just within their reach...

Toronto Blue Jay's GM Alex Anthopoulos was on hand to assist with the draw and tell the story of his meteoric rise from the Montreal Expos mail room to the Blue Jay's GM desk.

The pill-pull draw went off without a hitch as Mike De Paulo earned first selection honours choosing post position five for Pender Harbour. Trainer Roger Attfield requested post position thirteen for 3-1 morning line favourite Check Your Soul and Todd Pletcher (via conference call) chose post position fourteen for 7-2 second choice Queen'splatekitten.

Here's the full field for the Queen's Plate:

Post Position Horse Trainer Jockey Odds
1 IMHOTEP Todd Pletcher Emile Ramsammy 30-1
2 CURGONE Greg De Gannes Garrett Gomez 50-1
3 OH CANADA Robert Tiller Emma-Jayne Wilson 10-1
4 ONE BIG GATOR John Ross Jim McAleney 30-1
5 PENDER HARBOUR Mike DePaulo Chantal Sutherland 12-1
6 HEAD HONCHO Catherine Day Phillips Jono Jones 30-1
7 STRIKE OIL Mark Casse Willie Martinez 15-1
8 OKIYAMA John Mattine Jesse Campbell 30-1
9 INGLORIOUS Josie Carroll Luis Contreras 9-2
10 ENDURING STAR Mark Casse Robby Albarado 30-1
11 OJIBWAY SIGNAL David Bell Justin Stein 50-1
12 SEAWATCH Josie Carroll Slade Callaghan 20-1
13 CHECK YOUR SOUL Roger Attfield Patrick Husbands 3-1
14 QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 7-2
15 HIPPOLYTUS Mark Casse Tyler Pizzaro 30-1
16 BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY Chad Brown Eurico Rosa Da Silva 6-1
17 MAPLE LEAF KITTEN Joe Woodard Omar Moreno 50-1

Later in the afternoon, Anil Kapoor paid a visit to Woodbine to tour the walking ring and place a wager. Kapoor is best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire' as well as his part in the TV series, "24". The versatile film star will soon be starring in 'Mission Impossible 4' with Tom Cruise.

Quite a few fans were on hand to greet Kapoor who arrived with a film crew apparently shooting an interview for an Indian television show. A gracious Kapoor took time to speak with several fans, pose for photographs and sign autographs.

Kapoor made his visit a winning one by placing a wager on the Sam-Son Farm's filly Clear March who charged to the wire first under jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva. The jockey presented Kapoor with his whip following the race which the actor accepted with great amusement.

Below are photos from the busy day of festivities. As always, double-left the photo to enlarge the image and use your "BACK" button to return to the photo essay.

Check Your Soul's silks could soon be flying in the Woodbine winners circle


Jockeys Omar Moreno and Luis Contreras will do battle on Sunday

It was a bright and sunny morning to watch the workouts

The Score's Natalie Zak speaks with Alex Anthopoulos

Will Inglorious be the next filly to win the Plate?

Dan Loiselle interviews Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos

Trainer Mike De Paulo contemplates a spot in the fate for Pender Harbour


Emile Ramsammy and family enjoying the show


Eurico Rosa da Silva keeps an eye on the board


Patrick Husbands looking calm, cool and collected


Jim McAleney is chomping at the bit to steer One Big Gator to Plate glory

Gene Kershner from the Buffalo News speaks with Sherm Cunningham about Enduring Star


Chad Rozema and Mark Casse stage an interview suspiciously near the breakfast buffet


Here's the field for the Queen's Plate

A gracious Anil Kapoor greets a young fan

Film star Anil Kapoor with jockey Eurico Rosa da Silva

A visit to the walking ring for a closer look

Kapoor watches the post parade

Kapoor cheers home a winner

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