By Christie DeBernardis
Avie's Flatter (Flatter) looks to give his conditioner Josie Carroll another victory in Canada's most prestigious race Saturday when he breaks from the far outside post in a 14-horse renewal of Woodbine's $1 million Queen's Plate S. Winner of the turfy Cup and Saucer S. and the Coronation Futurity S. on synthetic at Woodbine last fall, the homebred kicked off this term with a win in the GIII Transylvania S. on the Keeneland lawn Apr. 5. The bay was sixth when last seen in the GII American Turf S. at Churchill Downs on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard.
Mark Casse is no stranger to the Queen's Plate winner's circle and he sends out a strong contender in Skywire (Afleet Alex). Opening his account with a pair of wins, one over the local synthetic and one on dirt at Gulfstream this winter, the bay was off the board on the Turfway synthetic in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S. Mar. 9. Returning to winning ways in the Wando S. over the Woodbine main track Apr. 28, he was second last time in this venue's GIII Marine S. May 25.
Richard Baltas ships in from his California base with One Bad Boy (Twirling Candy). Off the board in his Santa Anita debut Dec. 26, he was second to GI Arkansas Derby hero Omaha Beach (War Front) next out in the slop there Feb. 2. Breaking through with a decisive victory when switched to the Arcadia lawn Apr. 6, the dark bay was second last out in an off-the-turf renewal of the Alcatraz S. at Golden Gate May 19.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
