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Woodbine Oaks winner Luster is the favorite on the morning line at evens and will break from the rail.

Date: 08/11/2026

The post positions for Saturday's $1 million King's Plate Stakes were selected during a special breakfast ceremony on Tuesday morning on the Paddock Rooftop overlooking the walking ring, before a crowd of owners, officials, media, and horsemen. This year marks the 167th edition of the Plate, the oldest continuously-run stakes race in North America, which is run at 1 1/4 miles over the Tapeta surface at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The race was run as the Queen's Plate during the reigns of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch gives the winner a prize of 50 guineas taken from the Royal Privy Purse, a tradition that began with the inaugural running in 1860 under Queen Victoria. The Plate is the premier race for Canadian-foaled 3-year-olds and the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, and this year a field of 12 made final entry. Colts and geldings carry the standard weight of 126 pounds while filly Luster carries 121 pounds.

The draft style draw made its return this year, with Woodbine TV host Jeff Bratt drawing the entry sheets and Director of Racing Tim Lawson drawing the numbered balls in the usual double-blind format, to determine the selection order. Then each horse's connections were called up to the stage to make their selection. Curiously, the morning line favorite drew the 12th and last selection.

Trainer Josie Carroll has 2 entered: favorite Luster (post 1) and 30-1 longshot Don Ique (post 6).

Luster is the even-money favorite and, having the final pick, trainer Josie Carroll was left with the rail. The lone filly in the field comes to the Plate off wins in the Selene (G3) and Woodbine Oaks. John Velazquez, who rode her to victories at Keeneland in April and in the Woodbine Oaks, flies in from Saratoga for the mount. Carroll won the Plate in 2006 with Edenwold, who also broke from post 1. Carroll said, "I thought she would run really well in (the Oaks), she's a very, very athletic horse. She actually exceeded what I expected in that race. Looking at a horse like that, I thought she impressed in that race. She's had her final work for the (Plate_. She's not a great big filly. She's very fit. She doesn't need a lot. So, she's had a very, very strong 5/8 (a bullet 58.80 on August 1). "I have no idea what to think, (sire Knicks Go) really hasn't had that many starters, but I will say, when you think of Knicks Go, you kind of think of speed, but we forget he was a classic distance winner. Versatility. She has tactical speed, but she can run on."

The second choice is Brachetto at 5-1. With the 3rd selection, trainer Julia Carey selected post 9. After breaking his maiden in May, he finished third in the Queenston Stakes and then won the Marine Stakes (G3) at 18-1. Ryan Munger, who has been aboard for all 5 of his starts so far, gets the call again on Saturday. Carey said of the Manitoba-bred, "He's very well behaved. He doesn't do anything wrong. They did a good job breaking him over in Manitoba. We've had no problems with him; he's been a good boy. He's very chill. Hopefully, it works to his advantage on the big day."

Trainer Dale Desruisseaux and jockey Rafael Hernandez select the post for Highwaytothemoon.

The 6-1 third choice is Highwaytothemoon for trainer Dale Desruisseaux, who selected post 8 with the sixth selection. After finishing second in the King Corrie Stakes, he went on to win both the Queenston Stakes and the Plate Trial. Regular rider Rafael Hernandez will be in the irons for the Plate. Desruisseaux said, "He's an average-looking horse, and he isn't going to blow you away conformation-wise. In the mornings, he just did whatever the other horse that he was breezing with was doing. If they went quick, he'd go quick. If they went slow, he'd go slow. He didn't try to do anything more than we wanted him to. He's been training really well in the morning. We've been putting slower, longer miles to him, and he's been handling it really well. The question is going to be that next eighth of a mile."

Two horses are listed at 10-1 fourth choice. Dixie Law, runner-up in the Woodbine Oaks after finishing third in the Selene will break from post 5 with Pietro Moran aboard for trainer Dale Desruisseaux. Marine Stakes runner-up Magical Factor gets post 7 for trainer Rachel Halden and jockey Jose Campos.

Some of the King's Plate jockeys pose around Woodbine CEO Michael Copeland and the trophy. Back row L-R: Fraser Aebly, Emma-Jayne Wilson, Pietro Moran, Luis Contreras. front row L-R: Xarel Forde, Romero Maragh, Ryan Munger, CEO Michael Copeland, Rafael Hernandez, Jose Campos, Jalon Samuel

Post time for the Plate will be 6:12pm ET, carded as race 10 on Saturday August 15 and the race will be televised on CityTV in Canada from 4:30 - 6:30PM ET. The full card will be simulcast to many locations throughout North America as well as Bet365.net, and be broadcast on FanDuel TV in America and HPI in Canada. There are 4 stakes races on the undercard. The $200,000 bet365 King Edward Stakes (G2) for older horses going 1 mile on the turf is the major local prep for the Woodbine Mile (G1) to be run on September 12. The $175,000 Bold Venture Stakes (G3) features older horses sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta. There are two $150,000 stakes races for 2-year-olds going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf: the bet365 Soaring Free Stakes for colts and geldings, the main local prep for the Summer Stakes (G1), and the Catch a Glimpse Stakes for fillies, the prep for the Natalma Stakes (G1). After an extensive renovation of the backstretch, the E.P. Taylor Turf Course reopened for racing on Sunday August 9, ahead of schedule, and will host all 3 turf stakes.

Below are the entries for the 2026 King's Plate with post positions, trainer, jockey, and morning line odds. Free past performances are available here from BRISnet.com. (look for Brachetto)

The King's Plate trophy

King's Plate info online:

• King's Plate official site - from Woodbine
• Woodbine main page
• Woodbine News and Notes - updated frequently
• 2025 King's Plate Results - the winner was Mansetti
• 2024 King's Plate Results - the winner was Caitlinhergrtness
• 2023 King's Plate Results - the winner was Paramount Prince
• 2022 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Moira
• 2021 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Safe Conduct
• 2020 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Mighty Heart
• 2019 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was One Bad Boy
• 2018 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Wonder Gadot
• 2017 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Holy Helena
• 2016 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Sir Dudley Digges
• 2015 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Shaman's Ghost
• 2014 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Lexie Lou
• 2013 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Midnight Aria
• 2012 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Strait of Dover
• 2011 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Inglorious
• 2010 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Big Red Mike
• 2009 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Eye of the Leopard
• 2008 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Not Bourbon
• 2007 Queen's Plate Results - the winner was Mike Fox
• 2006 Results - the winner was Edenwold
• 2005 Results - the winner was Wild Desert
• 2004 Results - the winner was Niigon
• 2003 Results - the winner was Wando who went on to win the Triple Crown
• 2002 Results - the winner was T J's Lucky Moon
• 2001 Results - the winner was Dancethruthedawn
• 2000 Results - the winner was Scatter the Gold
• 1999 Results - the winner was Woodcarver

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