June 24, 2012
Conditions were less than ideal for the 153rd Queen's Plate, with dark overcast skies, intermittent showers, and temperatures in the mid 70's, in stark contrast to the summer sun all week. The fans who came out on Sunday were treated to 5 stakes races on the undercard, 3 of which were graded, contested over both the fast Polytrack and the firm E.P. Taylor Turf Course.
The richest race on the undercard is the $250,000 King Edward Stakes (G2) presented by TVG. At 1 mile on the turf for older horses, is a very early prep for the Woodbine Mile (G1). A field of 6 went to post, with Hothersal sent off as the 2-1 favorite off a third place finish in the Eclipse (G3), over 5-2 Trend and 3-1 Hollinger. 7-1 Stormy Lord battled for the early lead with Hothersal through fractions of 23.30, 45.92, and 1:09.54. At the 3/16 pole the pacesetters tired, as 13-1 longest shot Riding the River, last early, rallied 6 wide to take the lead at the 1/8 pole and held off 7-2 Big Band Sound by a neck in 1:32.89. It was just a head back to late-running 3-1 Hollinger third.
