Munnyfor Ro (Munnings) looks to become the fifth filly in the last 10 years to beat the boys in Woodbine's most prestigious race, the $1-million Queen's Plate S. for Ontario-breds. Breaking her maiden on the grass while part of the Brian Lynch's shedrow this spring, the chestnut was third in a turfy allowance at Churchill May 8 and was sixth in the GIII Regret S. three weeks later. Sent back to Kevin Attard, she checked in second on the local synthetic in the GIII Selene S. and followed that with a late-closing victory in the Woodbine Oaks Aug. 1. Four of the last five fillies to win the Queen's Plate entered off a win in the Woodbine Oaks and the fifth, Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro), was runner-up in that event.
The top male contender is Joshua Attard's Keep Grinding (Tizway). Graduating at third asking in November, the dark bay was third behind Tidal Forces (Malibu Moon) and Harlan Estate (Kantharos) in a local optional claimer June 19. He was second next out in the GIII Marine S. at this venue July 11, in which Haddassah (Air Force Blue) finished third. Tidal Forces was fifth next out in the Marine, meanwhile Harlan Estate returned to win a nine-panel event here July 16, besting Dance Some Mo (Uncle Mo) by a nose.
Avoman (Old Forester) broke his maiden at second asking in the Ontario-bred Bull Page S. on the local lawn in September. Off the board in the state-bred Frost King S. sprinting on the synthetic in November, the gelding was third when trying two turns in an optional claimer here July 3. He won the local prep for this event, the nine-panel Plate Trial S. for Ontario-breds Aug. 1.
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