Quills Picks Winners – Saturday 8/15 – King’s Plate at Woodbine

The Canadian Triple Crown starts this afternoon and we will look at this race here on Quills Picks Winners. A field of 12 horses will go the classic distance of a mile and a quarter on their main polytrack.

The Canadian Triple Crown has some differences than ours here in America. Though the distances are the same, that’s the only similarity. The races go back and forth between Woodbine and Fort Erie. Also, if you attempt to run in all three races, your horse will have to win on three surfaces: synthetic for the King’s Plate, regular dirt in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, and then on the grass in the Breeders’ Stakes.

I’m not sure if the winning horse will attempt to run in all three races let alone win all three, but we have a field of twelve that will try to run the table here starting today.

Woodbine Race 10 – King’s Plate

Favored in the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown is the 1 Luster (1/1 morning line). She is taking on the boys for the first time, but fillies do race against the boys more often in Canada than in the US. She won the Woodbine Oaks last time out easily and geared down in the final sixteenth of the race. This filly has improved with each and every race and her main obstacle may be drawing the rail here for today’s race.

The 12 Military Time (12/1 ML) finished third in the plate trial after making a strong move on the turn but unable to catch the top two in the stretch. He is bred for these longer races and should enjoy the added distance. But he draws the far outside post for his second two-turn race of 2026.

The 9 Brachetto (5/1 ML) closed from last to win the Grade 3 Marine Stakes here at Woodbine at the end of June. Look for him to be making a move late here in the King’s Plate just like he did in his previous race.

The 5 Dixie Law (10/1 ML) is another filly taking on the boys here today. She finished second to today’s favorite in the Woodbine Oaks last month. She was trying to catch the winner that day, but she was not catching her. But she does have the breeding to go this far.

Joe’s King’s Plate Pick

This does look like a race where the favorite will romp here, but as we all know, the races are run on the track and not on paper. I would not be surprised if Luster wins big, but I have to take a swing here.

Some believe in Santa Claus and some believe in Joe Hendry. I believe in Mark Casse who won this race three times in the past. He does look like he can make a late move to get up and upset the favorite here in the King’s Plate.

I’m calling this race 12-1-9-5 and my play is $20 to win on the 12. Best of luck and I’ll see you in the winner’s circle!