The Real Plate Trial Might Be Race Two (A Maiden Race)

Harlem Rocker, in the Plate Trial Stakes tomorrow at Woodbine, will definitely be the rightful focus of almost every Canadian racing fan, and quite a few US fans as well. Canada's "Big Brown" (even though this is his Canadian debut) is a perfect 3 for 3 going in. And his times have been as impressive has the style in which he runs. But looking for a contender in the Trial is a difficult task. Not Bourbon has some great numbers going short, but he looks strictly to be a sprinter. With Pewter in the race, I don't expect either to be able to relax enough to make it a fake mile and an eighth race where one of them can steal enough, to only be beaten a few or perhaps win.

I actually see long shot maiden Chasin The Tornado closing in the stretch to be second to The Rocker. And Chasin the Tornado is no Golden Choice (the maiden who won the 1986 Queen's Plate), but he might be good enough to round out the exactor. That being said, there are many horses who beat him badly in his last maiden race who are out tomorrow in the "other" mile and an eighth race. That would be race two tomorrow. What I'm getting at is that the second race is full of horses that could easily run second or third in the Plate Trial.

On May 11th, in race ten, Perfect Bullet (a four year old US bred) won a maiden race in 1:43. The track was fast, but that time was still outstanding. There was a 32k open race that went almost two seconds slower, and Perfect Bullet's time was identical to an 80k open claimer. 80k open older horses would be very tough if they were allowed to run against top 3 year old Canadian breds in the Plate.

I'm not sure if all, or any, of the three Ontario breds, coming off the probable key race, are in fact entered in the Plate, but I hope for the Plate's sake that they are (I'm too lazy to look it up right now).
The top horse in the second race could be Sam-son's Harvest Home. Sam-son Farms horses usually take three or four races before they start showing their real stuff. The son of Smart Strike has classic distance written all over him, as he makes his third lifetime start.

Silver Jag, by Point Given looks more like a miler but will be tough tomorrow, and D. Flutie, by Langfuhr, seems to be improving each and every start.
Also in the race is another Stronach colt, Handsome Blue. The Touch Gold offspring definitely can go the distance, but he might not be fast enough to beat the top three mentioned above. The field is full of other potential talent as well.


None of the prime contenders for the Plate in either of the two races are Ontario sired, outside of Not Bourbon (who I think will prove that he should stick to sprints after tomorrow). Doesn't say much for Ontario's breeding program or the ones who in charge of the program, who continue to do things completely wrong.


I'm starting to notice that two year olds with five furlong workouts are performing very well so far this year. It used to be a very affective angle back in the 70's and 80's. Maybe it is making a comeback because of the polytrack.

List of the Worst Named Horses

Fort Erie notes, including interesting comments by jockeys regarding excessive whipping.
A shame about Regina Sealock injuring herself AGAIN. She was off to a very good start and seems to be getting better with age.

Writer makes list of 10 things horse racing should do to fix itself
Doing away with claiming is just too idiotic to be on the list. Claiming races attracts new people as owners and not to mention creates a natural supply and demand in pricing horses. The author's credibility is diminished big time thanks his views on claiming races.
He does mention treating the gambler better, but doesn't mention the fact that takeouts are ridiculously too high. This is the first thing that needs to be changed if the goal is to grow horse racing, and ultimately fix horse racing. All other points are useless with gambling growth.