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 Owner Gus Schickedanz leads his Queen's Plate winner Wando to the winner's circle |
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· Queen's Plate Results |
 Adrienne Clarkson arrives in the landau carriage. |
In this, the 144th running of the classic event for 3-year-old Canadian breds, owner Gus Schickedanz and trainer Mike Keogh sent out their one-two punch of Wando and Mobil, their stable stars who have never competed against each other. Wando was sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the field of twelve, with Mobil the second choice at just over 2-1. Also entered was Rock Again, from the powerful Stronach Stable with star jockey Eibar Coa shipping in to ride the 9-2 third choice, and Shoal Water representing Sam-Son Farm, a stable which has seen much success in the Plate over the years.
 First time by and Wando is already taking the lead before the first quarter call with Shoal Water just to his outside and Dance Engagement just behind. |
Turning for home, Shoal Water succumbed to the hot pace up front and began to fade, eventually finishing fourth. At the top of the stretch, Wando began to pull away under Husbands' urging. Now 1 1/2 lengths clear of the tiring Shoal Water, he got the mile in 1:37.46, as his stablemate Mobil inherited second place. By the 1/8 pole it was over. Wando was clear by 5 widening lengths and Kabel, who had first choice of either favorite and chose Mobil, could only watch as Husbands and Wando continued to draw off, finishing 9 lengths clear. The final time of 2:02.48 over the fast main track was a whopping 4.40 seconds faster than T J's Lucky Moon's winning time in last year's edition, but almost 1 1/2 seconds slower than Alphabet Soup's track record. Rock Again came on well using a four wide move on the turn, seizing third place from Shoal Water inside the final furlong, finishing 1 1/2 lengths back of Mobil.
 Where's Wando? Better to ask where's the rest of the field as Wando draws off to a 9 length victory. Winning owner Gus Schickedanz said, "He sure is a wonderful horse and it was a wonderful win for us. I always felt that Wando was the better horse, the stronger horse, that he never knew that he couldn't do the distance, he sure proved it. That was easy." |
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Purse: $1,000,000 Distance: 1 1/4 mile
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 4 Wando Husbands 4.80 3.30 2.80 6 Mobil Kabel 3.00 2.40 9 Rock Again Coa 3.10
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Wamdo gets his flowers before parading on the turf course for the fans. Winning jockey Patrick Husbands said, "At three-quarter pole, everybody backed off me. My horse was galloping along down the backside, I knew it would take a very good horse to pass him at that stage. Down the lane, when he responded with the stick, I knew he was the horse. He took off. At the eighth pole, I just looked over my shoulder and saw nobody. I looked over my right side to make sure nobody was coming, that's when I knew I was home and cooled out."
Jockey Patrick Husbands, owner Gus Schickedanz, and trainer Mike Keogh celebrate with the Queen's Plate trophy. Winning trainer Mike Keogh said, "We knew we would be on the either on the front end or right there, and he just galloped along and did it very easily. At the top of the stretch, he looked like he was just galloping along, I thought it would take a serious horse to catch him at that point."
Wando in the post parade for the Queen's Plate. Trainer Mike Keogh was asked if he would continue on with the Canadian Triple Crown at the Prince of Wales Stakes, and he said he would and Patrick Husbands would keep the ride.
Second place finisher Mobil in the post parade. His jockey Todd Kabel said, "My horse stumbled badly leaving the gate and I don't know if that affected him in any way. He really struggled with the track. I couldn't get him up on the bridle. I'm just very happy that he finished second because I didn't think he was going to get any part of it. He dug in and ran a very determined race." Asked about his apparently "wrong" choice of horse, he said, "I am just happy for them. That's racing luck and that is the way it goes. You know, you make the right moves, you make the wrong moves, that's part of the sport."
Third place finisher Rock Again leaving the walking ring. His jockey Eibar Coa said, "I really had a good trip and don't really have any excuses today. The horse (Wando) in front was just much the best today. I was going fast, but he never stopped running and he never slowed down. He really won impressively today. I really think my horse ran his race and I was happy with the way he ran."
Fourth place finisher Shoal Water in the walking ring. His jockey Robert Landry said, "My horse ran a fantastic race. I stalked the winner (Wando) the whole way. Patrick (Husbands) just asked his horse and he kicked on. He (Wando) was the horse today. You give him a lead and he's going to benefit and he's going click. I didn't want to chase him early. I didn't think that would be the right thing to do."
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