2002 Queen's Plate Barbecue

The barbecue is held in the walking ring behind the grandstand.

Woodbine Festival of Racing
· Queen's Plate Results
· North America Cup Results
· Queen's Plate Post Position Draw
· North America Cup PP Draw
· Queen's Plate Barbecue

Queen's Plate Barbecue

Date: 6/17/02

Woodbine's Festival of Racing Week kicked off on Monday afternoon with the traditional Queen's Plate barbecue held in the walking ring. Some of the contenders for Sunday's Plate were brought to the walking ring to be paraded in front of the horsemen, racing officials, and media in attendance, and then have some posed photographs taken with their owner, trainer, jockey, and groom. This tradition seemed to be enjoyed by the human participants moreso than the equine ones, some of which showed obvious displeasure at being brought so close to all those people and flashing cameras.

Here are the contenders and their connections who were present plus any comments made.

Cree Power and his groom Randolf Als were first to come out. His trainer Michael Doyle said: "We're taking a chance to run because it appears that there isn't really a standout superstar. I'm not saying there aren't any good horses in the race because there are. I just think if I could get him to run a little better race, maybe he'd have a chance."

Adjalah and his groom Sarah Orchard. Adjalah worked 6f in 1:12 3/5 last Tuesday in preparation for Sunday's Plate. Trainer David Bell said: "I was very pleased with the work. He's a mild-mannered nice guy who will do whatever you want him to. He's got a lot of miles under him and I think he got a lot out of the Plate Trial."

Anglian Prince and his groom Mark Spooner. Trainer James Hardy said: "I'm not feeling any pressure heading towards the Plate. I'm not supposed to win and Leonard, a guy with one horse, isn't supposed to win. A $7,500 horse isn't supposed to win the Plate. All I have to worry about is getting Anglian Prince to the race in good order."

Classic Mike and his groom Keith Ryan. Plate Trial runner-up Classic Mike breezed 5f on the main Woodbine strip before the barbecue, in 1:01, galloping out 6f in 1:16 1/5, with jockey Jono Jones aboard. Trainer Reade Baker said, "We're ready. He did exactly what we wanted. He'll just gallop up to the race now."

Ford Every Stream with his groom Pam Dunslow. The Sam-Son Farm colt worked 6f in 1:12 4/5 seconds handily this morning with jockey Todd Kabel aboard, galloping out 7f in 1:26 2/5. Sam-Son and trainer Mark Frostad will be shooting for a Queen's Plate three-peat, after capturing the 2000 edition with Scatter The Gold and the 2001 renewal with Scatter The Gold's full sister Dancethruthedawn.

Mountain Beacon and his groom Sarah Young. The other Sam-Son Farm runner worked with another stablemate while Ford Every Stream broke off behind them, worked 6f in 1:13 2/5 handily and galloped out 7f in 1:27. Assistant trainer Hugh Chatman said, "They worked good. They just went in hand. We didn't send them too hard. It was a comfortable breeze. Both jockeys were really happy."

Shaws Creek and his groom Andrae Gordon. Queenston Stakes winner Shaws Creek worked 7f in 1:27 3/5 last Wednesday for trainer John Ross and the Jam Jar Racing Stable. Ross said, "Shaws Creek is a great horse to be involved with. He's a joy to be around. He's training well."

Streakin Rob and his groom Jay Augustine. His trainer Jim Day had this to say about his thus far disappointing 3-year-old season: "He's got no physical excuses that I'm aware of at the moment. The only thing I can say is his first two races were complete farces. The Plate Trial was a catastrophe."

T J's Lucky Moon and his groom Fabian Brown. Trainer Vito Armata said of the 75-1 outsider: "I decided very early that I wanted him to go long. I've thought all along that he's a nice horse. It's just taken him a little longer."

Twice Bid and his groom Jason Moore. Twice Bid worked a mile in 1:42 handily last Wednesday with rider Mickey Walls aboard. Trainer Roger Attfield said, "I thought it was a very solid work. I was very happy with it. He handled the track well and he was very straight after the work. I think I'm going to run in the Plate. It depends how he trains on the next two or three days. He'll work again probably on Wednesday, maybe five-eighths." Attfield will try to equal Harry Giddings Jr.'s record mark of eight Queen's Plate wins next Sunday.

Queen's Plate info online: