Casse Duo Climbs in Latest King’s Plate Power Rankings

Elysian Field and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the Woodbine Oaks on July 23, 2023 (Michael Burns Photo)

Woodbine Press Release

TORONTO, On. – Woodbine Entertainment today released its latest King’s Plate Power Rankings for the 164^th running of Canada’s most prestigious horse race.

The 164^th King’s Plate is the first leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and is scheduled for Sunday, August 20 at Woodbine Racetrack.

The King’s Plate Power Rankings provide a look at the current top contenders and is released several times ahead of this year’s race. The voting committee for The King’s Plate Power Rankings consists of Jeff Bratt (Woodbine Racing Host/Analyst), Monique Vág (Woodbine Racing Host/Analyst), Robert Geller (Woodbine Track Announcer), Ernie Perri (Woodbine Head Clocker/Oddsmaker) and Ron Gierkink (Daily Racing Form).

Each voter submits their own top-10 list and points are awarded to each horse based on their placement (10 points for first through one point for 10^th).

Chad Brown trainee Kalik remains at the top of the latest list. The son of Collected recently breezed four furlongs in :48:96 over the dirt at Belmont Park on July 28. 

Kaukokaipuu leaps up from fifth to second in the rankings. The Ted Holder student is the most experienced horse on the list, having made 11 starts to this point. Kaukokaipuu has ran second in seven of those 11 starts, with a pair of victories also to his credit. His last start was a runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes on July 1 at Woodbine.

Woodbine Oaks winner Elysian Field makes her debut on the rankings at number three. The Mark Casse trained filly captured the mile and an eighth Oaks by 2 ½ lengths in 1:49.83 for her second win in six career starts. Casse did note immediately after the Oaks that he expected to run Elysian Field in the Plate.

The Casse barn also captured the Plate Trial Stakes last Sunday with Paramount Prince, who appears at number four. Previously ranked number 10, Paramount Prince won the mile and an eighth Plate Trial by five lengths in 1:49.99 for his second win from five starts.

Here is the full list for the latest King’s Plate Power Rankings:

Rank: Horse (Career Record, Earnings) – Trainer – First Place Votes – Previous Ranking

1. Kalik (6-3-1-0, $228,425) – Chad Brown – 2 – 1^st
2. Kaukokaipuu (11-2-7-0, $224,413) – Ted Holder – 2 – 5^th
3. Elysian Field (6-2-2-0, $306,692) – Mark Casse – 1 – NR 
4. Paramount Prince (5-2-2-1, $138,579) – Mark Casse – 0 – 10^th
5. Wickenheiser (6-1-2-0, $170,739) – Kevin Attard – 0 – NR 
6. Stanley House (7-2-3-0, $128,009) – Mike De Paulo – 0 – 3^rd
7. Twin City (8-2-4-1, $209,914) – Stuart Simon – 0 – 8^th
8. Northern Invader (3-1-2-0, $79,500) – Cherie DeVaux – 0 – 4^th
9. Cool Kiss (8-2-2-0, $124,454) – Mike De Paulo – 0 – NR 
10.  Midnight in Malibu (5-2-0-0, $90,930) – 0 – NR 

The 164^th running of The King’s Plate will take place on Sunday, August 20 at Woodbine Racetrack. Tickets are on sale now.

Fans can track the power rankings and all information regarding The King’s Plate by visiting KingsPlate.com and following Woodbine’s social media platforms via @WoodbineTB.