Etobicoke, Ontario
Woodbine racetrack postponed the King’s Plate and four other stakes until Friday due to concerns over standing water in the tunnel between the stable area and the paddock, as well as in certain parts of the track. This followed the cancellation of races 6-13 on Saturday’s card.
Officials of the track announced that the Plate, the Grade 2 King Edward, the Bold Venture (G3), the Soaring Free and the Catch A Glimpse would be held on a restructured King’s Plate card on Friday afternoon.
Refer here for Woodbine entries and results.
According to Woodbine CEO Michael Copeland, this decision was taken to maintain the integrity of the King’s Plate. He mentioned that if they had decided to wait and run the Plate, there might have been disagreements leading to racing withdrawals, which would have been unfair.
He further added that the decision to halt racing was taken after consulting with their veterinarians and jockeys due to safety concerns as a heavy downpour hit the area.
Subject to anticipated regulatory approval, the King’s Plate and the other stakes will keep the current entries and will not be redrawn.
Due to the heavy rains, all seven turf races scheduled for Saturday had already been moved to the Tapeta course, with delays experienced before races 2 and 5. The decision to cancel was made before race 6 as the rain persisted.
In a statement on Woodbine’s social media pages, it was announced that the remainder of Saturday’s live racing card was canceled due to unsafe racing conditions caused by heavy rainfall in the greater Toronto area.
Around 20,000 people were expected at Woodbine for the 165th edition of the King’s Plate, which was also attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trainer Mark Casse, expressing his understanding of the situation, appreciated Woodbine management’s communication regarding the decision. He added that they had to make some difficult decisions but he believes they made the right ones.
Both Casse and Kevin Attard, who were expected to start three horses each in the King’s Plate, agreed on the importance of communication so they can concentrate on preparing their 3-year-olds for the King’s Plate, whenever it may be held.
As more rain was expected on Sunday in the Toronto area, a one-day postponement might not have been effective.
The six-day delay affects the Canadian Triple Crown schedule. The second event of the Canadian classic, the Prince of Wales, is scheduled for Sept. 10 at Fort Erie, while the third event, the Breeders’ Stakes, is set for Sept. 29 at Woodbine.
Copeland hopes there will be no impact on the Canadian Triple Crown and believes Friday is a sensible choice for the rescheduling, considering the Travers (G1) is set for Saturday. He looks forward to an exciting weekend in horse racing starting with a great Friday card.
The race, formerly known as the Queen’s Plate, was last postponed in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, which moved it from its usual July date to September. In 2021, it was shifted to August, a decision that displeased the organizers of the Prince of Wales.
Similar Posts:
- Shocking $8.6M Bet on King’s Plate at Woodbine – Details Inside!
- Churchill Downs Unleashes 11 Thrilling Stakes! September Meet Details Inside!
- Breaking News: Dettori Sidelined After Gate Accident at Aqueduct on Friday!
- Must-See! 29 First-Time Prospects to Watch This Week!
- Shocking Races Beyond the Travers: First Look at 16 Epic Showdowns at 5 Tracks!
Ethan Reynolds is a culinary expert and recipe creator for Lady and The Track. With a degree in culinary arts and over a decade of experience as a professional chef, Ethan brings his love for cooking to the site’s recipe section. He specializes in creating easy-to-follow, delicious recipes for home cooks, from weeknight meals to gourmet dishes. Outside the kitchen, Ethan enjoys teaching cooking classes and experimenting with new flavors.