The Plate Trial Stakes is a Canadian Thoroughbred flat horserace for three-Year-Olds, foaled in Canada run annually at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. Raced in early June, the -mile race on dirt is considered one of the most important prep races for Canada's premier horse race, the Queen's Plate.2018 Woodbine Media Guide
Inaugurated in 1944 at the Old Woodbine Race Course as a six furlong sprint race, it was moved to the new Woodbine Racetrack in 1957 following that track's closure. In the first forty-eight years, a total of twenty-two winners of the Plate Trial Stakes went on to win the Queen's Plate. However, in the last sixteen years, no horse has accomplished the feat. Most recently, 2012 Plate Trial winner, River Rush, finished a disappointing 6th in the 2012 running of the Plate.
Hall of Fame jockey Avelino Gomez won this race a record nine times including four in a row from 1964 through 1967.
In 1955, Ace Marine won two versions of the race, one at six furlongs and another at a mile and 70 yards.
Since inception, the Plate Trial has been contested at various distances. In 1955, it was run as two races at the Old Woodbine Race Course. The first race consisted of four divisions and contested at 6 furlongs and the second race was made up of three divisions at 1 mile and 70 yards. In other years the distance was: 6 furlongs : 1944–1955 at Old Woodbine Race Course 7 furlongs : 1956 at Old Woodbine Race Course 8.5 furlongs ( miles) : 1957-1979 Woodbine Racetrack 9 furlongs ( miles) : since 1980 at Woodbine Racetrack
Records Time record: (a current distance of miles) 1:48.97 - River Rush (2012)
Most wins by an owner: 12 - E. P. & Winnifred Taylor and/or Windfields Farm:(1949, 1952 (2), 1953, 1954 (2), 1957 (2), 1960, 1963, 1979, 1988)
Most wins by a jockey: 9 - Avelino Gomez (1955, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967)
Most wins by a trainer: 9 - Gordon J. McCann (1952 (2), 1953, 1954 (2), 1957 (2), 1960, 1963)
Winners of the Plate Trial Stakes since 1987 Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time20252024My Boy Prince Sahin CivaciMark CasseGary Barber1:51.122023Paramount PrincePatrick HusbandsMark CasseMichael J. Langlois & Gary Barber1:49.992022Sir For SureDeclan CarrollMark CasseHeste Sport Inc.1:50.622021AvomanAntonio GallardoDonald MacRaeD-Mac Racing Stable & La Huerta1:52.842020ClaytonRafael M. HernandezKevin AttardDonato Lanni & Daniel Plouffe1:50.612019Pay For PeaceLuis ContrerasRachel HoldenTeam Penney Racing & Carem Stable1:51.632018TelekinesisPatrick HusbandsMark CasseStonestreet Stables1:50.402017Guy CaballeroRafael M. HernandezCatherine Day PhillipsSean & Dorothy Fitzhenry1:51.322016Amis GismoLuis ContrerasJosie CarrollIvan Dalos1:52.122015Danish DynaformerLuis ContrerasRoger L. AttfieldCharles E. Fipke1:49.812014We Miss ArtieJavier CastellanoTodd PletcherKenneth and Sarah Ramsey1:50.782013Dynamic SkyJoel RosarioMark CasseJohn Oxley1:50.592012River RushJim McAleneyStronach StablesReade Baker1:48.972011Check Your SoulPatrick HusbandsRoger AttfieldCharles E. Fipke1:51.162010Big Red MikeEurico Rosa da SilvaNicholas GonzalezTerra Racing Stable1:50.412009Eye of the LeopardEurico Rosa Da SilvaMark FrostadSam-Son Farm1:51.802008Not BourbonJono JonesRoger AttfieldCharles E. Fipke1:49.732007Jiggs CozDavid ClarkSid C. AttardMel P. Lawson1:50.772006Pipers ThunderRay SabourinEric CoatrieuxChiefswood Stable 1:51.652005Three In The Bag *Robert LandryStanley M. HoughCastletop Stable1:52.522004A Bit O'GoldJono JonesCatherine Day Phillips The Two Bit Racing Stable1:51.742003MobilTodd KabelMike KeoghGus Schickedanz1:51.842002Shaws CreekJake BartonJohn A. RossBud Reynolds1:52.382001 Win CityConstant MontpellierRobert P. TillerFrank DiGiulio Jr.1:52.082000Pete's SakePatrick HusbandsTodd A. PletcherGerald Frankel1:53.051999Catahoula ParishRobert LandryJohn A. RossJam Jar Racing1:51.181998Brite AdamJames McKnightRita SchnitzlerR.M.C. Stable1:50.601997CryptocloserWillie MartinezMark FrostadEarle I. Mack & William A. Sorokolit Sr.1:51.001996NorthfaceTodd KabelDaniel J. VellaFrank Stronach1:50.001995All Firmed UpTodd KabelDaniel J. VellaFrank Stronach1:50.601994Bruce's MillDave PennaMark FrostadEarle I. Mack et al.1:50.601993CirculatingRichard Dos RamosRoderick W. WrightSherwood/Sheehan Farms1:52.401992AlydeedCraig PerretRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:50.001991Megas Vukefalos *Mickey WallsJerry C. MeyerKnob Hill Stable1:51.00Bolulight *Don SeymourRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1990IzvestiaDon SeymourRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:50.401989With ApprovalDon SeymourRoger AttfieldKinghaven Farms1:50.801988Regal ClassicSandy HawleyJames E. DaySam-Son / Windfields1:51.601987AfleetGary StahlbaumPhil EnglandRichard R. Kennedy1:50.20
In 2005 Dance with Ravens won the race but for the first time ever in the history of the Plate Trial, the winner was disqualified. In 1991 there was a dead heat for first.
Earlier notable winners Overskate (1978) Norcliffe (1976) Royal Chocolate (1973) Kennedy Road (1971) Merger (1968) Titled Hero (1966) Canebora (1963) Lyford Cay (1957) Ace Marine (1955)
External links The Plate Trial Stakes at Pedigree Query
References