June 21, 2009
One of the largest crowds in recent memory on hand at Woodbine for the 150th Queen's Plate, enjoying warm weather, royal traditions, and an 11-race card. On the undercard of the Plate were two stakes races on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course, which was downgraded to good due to rain on Saturday, but the hot sun dried it to firm in time for the second stakes event.
Kicking off the stakes action on Plate day is the $200,000 Highlander Stakes (G3) at 6 furlongs. Defending champ Heros Reward, 5th in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint on Preakness weekend last out, was the 2-1 choice in the field of 10 over 7-2 Mr. Nightlighter, winner of the McKay, and 7-1 Smart Enough, winner of the Wolf Hill Stakes at Monmouth.
Smart Enough and Mr. Nightlinger battled for the lead soon after the start, until Jeremy Rose asked Smarty Enough to open up on the field. He set quick fractions of 22.32 and 44.73 over the good course while 2 lengths clear. At the top of the lane, Smart Enough opened a 3 1/2 length advantage and the race was over. Field Commission, ninth early, came out 4 wide and put in a strong rally through the long stretch but was left with too much ground to make up, as Smart Enough cruised under the line 2 lengths clear in a time of 1:08.26. It was just a neck back to late-running favorite Heros Reward third.
Results chart from DRF
