August 14, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Get Your Fill(y)
Since the Queen’s Plate reverted to the King’s Plate in 2022, fillies have dominated, beating the boys in two of the three runnings.
On Saturday, No Time, the only filly competing in the 166th edition of the $1 million King’s Plate at Woodbine, will aim to join the likes of Canadian Thoroughbred greats Caitlinhergrtness (2024 champ) and Moira (2022) as the 40th filly to win the King’s Plate.
Fresh off a dazzling 3 ¾-length triumph of the Woodbine Oaks on July 20, all eyes are on the Mark Casse charge, who enters the regal 1 ¼-mile contest as the early 7-2 favorite.
With history on the line, No Time turns to the trusty hand of Hall of Fame rider and 2018 Plate champ (Wonder Gadot) John Velazquez.
Back and Better than Ever
The last time turf titan She Feels Pretty competed at Woodbine – July 16, 2023 – she left the crowd in awe with a stunning 4 ¼-length victory in the $500,000 Natalma (G1T).
The Cherie Devaux trainee, who has since added three more graded titles to her resume, returns to Woodbine this Saturday with her sights set on the $750,000 E. P. Taylor (G1T).
A model of both dominance and consistency, She Feels Pretty has never finished below third across 11 starts, compiling a stellar 7-2-2 line for nearly $1.9 million in prize money.
Lining up in post four for her highly anticipated return, the 4-year-old superstar opens as the 3-5 choice.
Reclaim the Throne
Nestled between consecutive Connaught Cup (G2) victories is a fifth in last year’s King Edward (G2) that Cruden Bay is out to avenge this Saturday at Woodbine.
While the unfortunate result proved nothing more than an outlier for the 7-year-old Don MacRae trainee, an opportunity to win his second straight race is something Cruden Bay wouldn’t dare pass up.
The consistent gelding (24: 8-9-1) enters the $200,000 affair well-rested, having raced just once this season – his successful Connaught Cup defense on July 20.
As the early, but narrow, 5-2 choice on the opening line, Cruden Bay finds himself in a prime position to strike.
Roll out the Crimson Carpet
It’s not often that a three-time graded champion and million-dollar earner doesn’t open as the favorite, but in the rare instance that the same race features a four-time graded winner ($1.7 million) and another four-timer with $1.2 million earned, then so be it.
Thanks to Good Cheer (8-5 choice) and Nitrogen (9-5), that’s the conundrum for La Cara (5-2) Saturday’s $600,000 Alabama (G1) at Saratoga.
While the two favorites appear in a league of their own, the board’s third choice should not be overlooked.
With tallies in the Golden Rod (G2), Rachel Alexandra (G2), Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), and most recently, the Kentucky Oaks (G1), La Cara is well-equipped to give the distinguished duo a run for their money.
Forward Thinking
Off to a perfect two-for-two start this season, Thought Process has quickly put a tough showing in November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) in the rearview.
The talented 3-year-old looks to keep the good times rolling in Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1T).
A career California circuit competitor, Thought Process owns a sterling 5-0-1 lifetime line from seven starts.
The Phil D’Amato charge has also performed admirably at the stakes tier with three triumphs, including two at the graded level (Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap and Grade 3 Surfer Girl).
Thought Process draws into the Del Mar Oaks as the 8-5 choice.