Page 27 - The Game July 2006

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, July 2006 27
147th Running of the Queen’s Plate - June 25, 2006
Edenwold heads back to the barn after winning the 147th running of the Queen’s Plate
Prominent U.S. Trainer, Bob Baffert(r) made his first ever visit to Woodbine to saddle the favourite, Wanna Runner for owner Mike Pegram (left). Wanna Runner finished a disappointing tenth and Bob was quoted after the race as saying, "It's the first time he's ever thrown in a clunker like that. Victor (Espinoza) said at the five-eighths pole, he acted like a horse that might have bled. We're going to scope him."
Photo Top -
James and Alice Sapara flew in their adult children, pictured here, from Edmonton to Toronto for the Queen’s Plate.
Photo Right - Groom Carol Dyer was emotionally excited as she takes hold of Edenwold to lead him past the grandstand after his win in the Queen’s Plate with jockey Emile Ramsammy aboard.
Frank Stronach (left), owner of Queen’s Plate third place finisher, Malakoff, attended the race. Mr. Stronach is seen here in the walking ring before the race with jockey Todd Kabel and trainer Brian Lynch.
Apprentice Jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson, riding in her first ever Queen’s Plate, watches her mount, Bridgecut, be saddled with owner Eugene Melnyk.
Edenwold, the winner of the 147th running of the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine, June 25, 2006. Bred by Gail Wood and Bill Diamant, he is a son of Southern Halo out of the Mining mare, Best of Friends. Trainer Josie Carroll became the first female trainer in Canadian racing history to win the Queen’s Plate and although she realized the significance of the win she said it is the Canadian Dream of all trainers to win the Plate and was quoted in the Toronto Star as saying, “This is a business where I have been fortunate that (gender has) never come into play. My owners have always respected hard work and merit.”
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Aside from the large numbers lighting up the toteboard, the fans were treated to another surprise. When winning jockey Ramsammy removed his helmet, a freshly painted head of red and yellow hair glistened under the bright sun. Ramsammy apparently made a spontaneous decision after riding the 9th race to make his hair match the orange and yellow colours of the Sapara silks. He intended to add more orange gel, but the riders up bell interrupted his salon job.
“I thought Mr. Sapara would like it,” he laughed, “I thought if we didn’t win, I would make Mr. Sapara happy.”
Chances are Mr. Sapara is very happy. He has a Queen’s Plate Trophy, $600,000 of the purse, a history making trainer and a jockey whose sense of fun almost matches his finely honed riding skills. While Carroll downplayed the gender issue, she exuded great respect for Edenwold. “I like that he validated his two-year old championship,” she said proudly, “I think he answered the questions today.”
The next race for Edenwold would be the Prince of Wales Stakes on July 16 at Fort Erie, pretty well a basic requirement for a Queen’s Plate winner. However the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine in August, is on the turf, a surface he’s never performed on. Would Edenwold like the grass?
“We’ll find out,” said Carroll.
Which gives racing fans in Saskatchewan something to look forward to!