June 26, 2011
The $1 million Queen's Plate Stakes at Woodbine is North America's oldest continuously-run stakes race, celebrating its 152nd renewal. A field of 17 three-year-olds foaled in Canada contested this 1 1/4 mile Polytrack classic, on a partly cloudy Sunday afternoon with temperatures in the low 70's. Roger Attfield trainee Check Your Soul was sent off as the 9-5 favorite off wins in the Wando and Plate Trial Stakes, looking to give Attfield his record 9th Plate win. In to challenge him include Marine Stakes winner Queen'splatekitten at 4-1, and 9-2 third choice Inglorious, the only filly in the race coming off consecutive victories in the La Lorgnette Stakes and the Woodbine Oaks.
Curgone and Oh Canada battled for the lead through an opening quarter mile in 23.86 and a half in 47.66. Check Your Soul settled in 7th, Queen'splatekitten was 9th, and Inglorious 11th down the backstretch. Entering the far turn after 3/4 in 1:12.35, both tired from their prolonged duel approaching the stretch. Hippolytus, who stalked the pace in fourth early under jockey Tyler Pizarro, moved up and got to the front at the top of the lane through 1 mile in 1:37.76, chased by favorite Check Your Soul. Hippolytus led to the 1/8 pole, but Inglorious and jockey Luis Contreras came out wide and ran by him with just over 1/16 to go, drawing off late to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 2:02.63. It was another 2 lengths back to late-running Pender Harbour third, while favorite Check Your Soul faded in the final 1/8 to finish a disappointing 7th.
