The 17th Running of The Queens Plate Stakes
Sunday, August 21, 2022
WO Race #5 $1,000.000
Canadian-Bred 3YOs 123 Lbs 11/4
Track Record-1:59.56 (The Windy City-2012)
Stakes Record-2:00.76 (Freddo Cappuccino-2021)
The biggest day in Canadian racing is Sunday and the 17th edition of The Queens Plate is once again the headliner. Restricted to Canadian-bred sophomores, this year’s renewal has drawn a field of twelve to vie for the $1,000.000 purse. If you breed up north, this is the race you dream about. This year’s group includes three runners who have taken graded races this season, but they’ll carry the same impost as the “up-and-comers” on their ten furlong journey. Let’s take a look at the field for Sunday’s Queens Plate:
#1 Gendarmerie (Mo Mentum Farm/J.R. Velazquez): Gate-to-wire win in the local prep was his first victory of the season and he draws exceptionally well for this one. Gelding has always run well over this dirt course and just needs to show continued improvement.
#2 Bruddafrmanuddamudda (Arindel/C.J. Hernandez): Recent HST winner returns to the scene of his biggest score to date and draws an advantageous post for this assignment. If he can avoid the gate issues he had down at GP, his form looks pretty solid for a runner that figures to be involved from the first jump.
#3 Puissance de La Mer (Big Guns Stables/M. Franco): This guy has faced some of the best of his crop and, though he only has two wins (none on dirt), he’s beaten a number of high quality runners to the wire. Distance shouldn’t be an issue and he’s faced six consecutive graded fields to get ready for this one.
#4 The Generals Quest (Glorify Stables/D.E. Centeno): Lightly-raced colt has been competitive in two local preps after breaking his maiden down at TAM. Probably won’t be too close early, but he’s shown an ability to rally in the latter stages. The level seems appropriate; however, he’ll have to go a bit further to prove it here.
#5 Chancellor (Mo Mentum Farm/Ru. Silvera): Local winner stepped up to the G3 level last time at IND where he caught a bad draw. Set the pace that day before finishing 5th, beaten four lengths. Colt was bred to be a runner and his value could skyrocket if he were to pull this off.
#6 State General (Mb Stables/R.M. Hernandez): Gelding won back-to-back races on the grass before just missing in his main track return in last month’s local prep. Been showing a bit more early gas of late, but he’s versatile enough to adapt to whatever the veteran conditioner asks him to do.
#7 Fistfight At Dawn (Threshold/T. Gaffalione): Closer has only gotten his run timed right once, but that’s not a normal maiden-breaker here last year. Was nice to see him stay in touch with the leader three-back and that versatility could serve him well from this middle-gate draw.
#8 Brave Freedom (Nakamura Stables/E.J. Wilson): A winner of three in a row, gelding successfully challenged G3 foes last month. No visible excuse for the SUN clunker, but his other races this season demonstrate the only question about him should be the trip.
#9 Napa (Mo Mentum Farm/P. Husbands): Barn’s third entrant has won five of seven sprinting, but is winless in four tries going a route of ground. Got the barn’s short end of the stick in the draw department; however, he did beat runners restricted to this condition going seven panels.
#10 Ey Mon (Arindel/L. Saez): Finished in the exacta in six straight to start his ’22 season. BEL turned out to be a debacle, but nice to see him get a brief freshening for this. Don’t think we saw this one’s best in June and, if he can return to that prior form, he should have a chance to reward the barn’s faith here.
#11 Declassified Agent (Smokey Stover/G. Boulanger): In typical fashion for this patient outfit, gelding has been brought along slowly. Hasn’t raced since April, so the layoff is a legitimate question; however, barn probably had plenty of options and gave this one the nod so expect him to show his best.
#12 Grouse Mountain (Mb Stables/A. Cedillo): Last year’s BC champion has as many owners as wins with purchase prices ranging from $180.000 to $650.000. Hasn’t really gotten much accomplished since March, but have to respect the connections and the faith they’re showing in bringing him here.
Final Analysis: This is an interesting group in an interesting spot. We’ll say 10-3-8 is how they cross the wire in The Queens Plate Stakes. If you have an opinion, drop us a line in the comments. Good luck to everyone.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
