The Queen's Plate Winterbook

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http://www.woodbineentertainment.com/queensplate/

If this was published any later, it would be the Queen's Plate Springbook. . Seriously, it seems to be out a bit late this year but I suppose with the race being pushed back till July 4th, there was no rush. Nothing too shocking. I am glad Roan Inish was included in the top 10, I think she has a great shot at the Plate. I kind of think Hotep is a little overrated... D's Wando is a horse a bunch of us like. Keep in mind, that one is a May 8th foal so he should only get better and he was pretty good last year anyway... Not a fan of Stormy Lord for the Plate, don't think he'll get the distance. Same goes for Resentless. As for the long shots, Born to Act was the most impressive debut winner I saw last year, yet, I am a little surprised to see him as low as 15/1, he has only made that one start and has had health issues. But if they can keep him healthy, I think he has a lot of potential. Captain Canuck at 50-1 looked real impressive finishing second in his first career start in a Gulfstream turf maiden this past weekend. But at this point, it is Hollinger's to lose. Who knows if he'll improve, regress or stay about the same but if he improves, it'll be tough to beat him.  At some point prior to the start of the Woodbine meet, I'll have to do a Plate top 10, just for the fun of it.

Top 10 Winterbook Favourites:

Hollinger – 5-2
Hotep – 7-2
Giant's Tomb – 5-1
Ghost Fleet – 6-1
D's Wando – 8-1
Roan Inish – 10-1 (f)
Stormy Lord – 10-1
Resentless – 12-1 (f)
Mobil Unit – 12-1
Big Red Mike – 12-1

[DanceSmartly]

This is apparently the first year the Winterbook hasn't been done by Jennifer Morrison, so that is probably why the timing is a little late. At this point I think the odds are pretty accurate, although I would have had Dixie Trouper rated higher than a few of these. At least he'll be fit. He's been working steadily at Santa Anita for the past month. I'm not a fan of Stormy Lord, either. Hotep may be overrated but he's classier than most horses aiming for the race. I actually expect him to do well on the Plate Trail if that is where he's ultimately pointed.  As for Giant's Tomb, you have to love his last race, but his inconstency is what I find troubling. He'll run a great one and then he won't fire. He's a hard one to figure out.

ETA:

I just scanned the list and doesn't look like Dixie Trouper was Plate nominated. I was sure he was an Ontario bred. Oh well. Scratch that, then.

Speaking of the Plate, does anyone know when the Fantasy Challenge will start up?

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I wouldn't worry too much about a horse that isn't nominated, the supplemental fee for the race is ridiculously low considering its a race with a million dollar purse. Mobthewarrior, probably the most impressive son of Mobil to race at Woodbine last summer, also does not appear to be nominated to the Plate and that is a horse that won the Frost King and finished a close 3rd in the Grey, ahead of Ghost Fleet. So both Mobthewarrior and Dixie Trouper could be easily nominated to the race...

The Woodbine based 2 yr olds looked strong last year and so far, they've held their form down south. Its hard to imagine horses like Giant's Tomb and Hotep, both easily beaten by the likes of Stormy Lord and Hollinger are running so well down south. Also, Woodbine based maidens have been running respectable debut races in Florida as well. We're way past due for a vintage group of 3 yr old Canadian bred colts/gelding, we might get it this year. That said, is it just me or are the top contenders starting late this year? Stormy Lord, Hollinger, Ghost Fleet, D's Wando have yet to post a published work. Even with the race being pushed back to July it seems like they're still walking a tight rope, hopefully they start working soon!

As for the contest, I am sure they're just slow getting that up as well. With the nice weather we've had the last few days I am getting antsy for both baseball and Woodbine. Its a long winter without racing!

And I'll add, I am starting to think Hollinger is getting a little over hyped. I know I've been hyping him since September,lol, but I must say, I think he is a bit overrated at this point. If you read some of the stuff out there on him, you'd think he is the second coming. I don't see it, he hasn't even won an open stakes yet. Who was Prime Minister the last time a Corination Futurity winner won the Plate anyway? Who knows but I am afraid the horse is a getting a bit too much hype, thankfully, he doesn't read blogs and sites like this one,lol.

[DanceSmartly]

Yes, I guess with the race so late this season, many horses will be supplementing. Hollinger is talented but obviously he needs to step up his 2 year old form and get into gear. Giants Tomb and Hotep could be late bloomers. They've certainly looked decent down at Fairgrounds although Hotep was thrown to the wolves in the Risen Star.

Interesting that Dixie Trouper is nominated to the US TC but not the Plate.