Sunday’s historic King’s Plate at Woodbine will be the first in the reign of Charles III, but the 164th renewal of Canada’s most important race for 3-year-olds. The mile and one-quarter journey on the Tapeta lured a whopping 17 entrants at Wednesday morning’s post-position draw and promises to be a wild betting affair. The stacked gate boasts two additional also-eligible runners in the event of scratches.

The King’s Plate was known as the Queen’s Plate from 1952-2022 during the reign of Elizabeth II.

Horseplayers utilizing the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet platforms can take advantage of $10,000 in Hit & Split promotions on King’s Plate Day multi-race bets. The late pick 5 will include an additional $5,000 up for grabs, while the early pick 5 and late pick 4 will include an extra $2,500 each.

Let’s Meet the Contenders for the King’s Plate:

#1 Stanley House (Michael DePaulo // Javier Castellano)

Beaten favorite at even-money when sixth in the Plate Trial, failing to make the allowance rise into stakes. Jockey Javier Castellano, who rode this son of Army Mule to his maiden win at Gulfstream in March, notably won the Kentucky Derby aboard Mage and looks for his first Plate victory and a sweep of North America’s sophomore showcases. Flavien Prat most recently won both events in 2019.

#2 Elysian Field (Mark Casse // Sahin Civaci)

Woodbine Oaks winner tackles the boys with some history on her side. Trainer Mark Casse’s two Plate wins came with fillies Lexie Lou (2014) and Wonder Gadot (2018). Fillies have won the Plate 38 times, including recent vintages in 2017, 2018 and 2022 with Moira. Sire Hard Spun had this year’s Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil’s over the same Plate distance.

#3 Philip My Dear (Kevin Attard // Daisuke Fukumoto)

Last year’s Canadian Champion 2-Year-Old has been disappointing fifth and eighth in two starts this season, most recently in the Plate Trial. Trainer Kevin Attard won last year with the filly Moira and can be the first trainer to win back-to-back since Mark Frostad in 2000-’01. Jockey Daisuke Fukumoto piloted Mighty Heart to the 2020 Plate title.

#4 Twin City (Stuart Simon // Gary Boulanger)

Third in the Plate Trial and a winner of the King Corrie Stakes in May, he’s had a knack of delivering efforts that surpass his odds. The son of Klimt has been off the board just once in 8 tries. Jockey Gary Boulanger’s Plate success came in 2001 aboard Dancethruthedawn.

#5 Morstachy’s (Renico Lafond // Leo Salles)

Longshot was claimed for $40,000 in his most recent start off of last year’s Plate-winning trainer Kevin Attard. This son of Met Mile winner Mor Spirit, who also sired Plate rival Velocitor, owns just 1 win in 11 starts.

#6 Kalik (Chad Brown // Kazushi Kimura)
New York-based winner of the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge at Belmont Park rattled off 3 straight wins to open 2023 before an eighth-place effort in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational. Four-time American champion trainer Chad Brown seeks his first King’s Plate trophy. Out of an unraced daughter of Sara Louise, a top-class US sprinter, but has won on the lead up to 1-1/8 miles.

#7 Velocitor (Kevin Attard // Justin Stein)

Wired the 9-furlong Coronation Futurity to cap his juvenile season, outrunning a pedigree that suggests sprinter/miler ability. But he’s 0-for-3 this year with tiring, off-the-board finishes in the King Corrie, Marine and Plate Trial. Trainer Kevin Attard won last year with the filly Moira and can be the first trainer to win back-to-back since Mark Frostad in 2000-’01. Jockey Justin Stein tasted Plate victory in 2012 aboard Straight of Dover.

#8 Wickenheiser (Kevin Attard // Rafael Hernandez)

Woodbine Oaks runner-up will try to follow suit from ’22 Oaks-Plate sweeper Moira, also competing for trainer Kevin Attard and jockey Rafael Hernandez. The same trainer-jockey combo hasn’t gone back-to-back since Roger Attfield and Craig Perret in 1992-’93 (Alydeed, Peteski). Hernandez also won this race in 2015 aboard Shaman Ghost. Deep closer should appreciate the additional distance (she’s by Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid), given four straight rallying superfecta stakes finishes.

#9 Silent Miracle (John Mattine // Ryan Munger)

Claimer has won 3 of his last 4 races, going wire-to-wire most recently over 1-1/16 miles. Longshot gets tested for both class and distance Sunday. Ryan Munger gets his first Plate mount in his first local season since arriving from South Africa.

#10 Midnight in Malibu (Sid Attard // Adam Beschizza)

Last-out route allowance winner at 32-1 odds looks for consecutive upsets. Trainer Sid Attard, who seeks his first win in this race, is uncle of Plate rival Kevin Attard. Son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Midnight Lute.

#11 Touch N’ Ride (Layne Giliforte // Jose Campos)
Lightly raced colt makes just his third lifetime start and follows up a maiden-breaking win July 30 by more than 5 lengths. Stretches out 3/16ths of a mile from that effort while making the major class rise to a stakes for the first time. Candy Ride colt is half-brother to Neepawa, 10th in the 2018 Plate.

#12 Cool Kiss (Michael DePaulo // Emma-Jayne Wilson)

No-match second to Paramount Prince in the Plate Trial while rallying from 11th of 12. Both career victories have been in 7-furlong sprints and he’s by sprint sire Kantharos. Emma-Jane Wilson won this race in 2007 aboard Mike Fox.

#13 Paramount Prince (Mark Casse // Patrick Husbands)

Colt by quality turf miler Society’s Chairman was a dominant Plate Trial winner by 5 lengths in wire-to-wire fashion at 11-1 odds. Casse’s two Plate wins came with fillies Lexie Lou (2014), teamed with Patrick Husbands, and Wonder Gadot (2018). Husbands also won this race in 2003 with eventual Triple Crown winner Wando.

#14 Twowaycrossing (Roger Attfield // Antonio Gallardo)

All-or-nothing sort has two wins and five off-the-board finishes, capped most recently an optional claiming score July 30. Eight-time Plate winner Roger Attfield shares the training record for wins in this race all-time. He seeks his first trophy since 2008. Son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf winner English Channel.

#15 Kaukokaipuu (Tedston Holder // Rico Walcott)

This $10,000 yearling purchase and Queenston Stakes winner nearly pulled off the hat trick and a third straight win, but came up a half-length short last time out in the open-company Marine Stakes. Colt by millionaire turf router Mr Speaker had sprinted in his first 10 starts and will be in search of his first win beyond 7 furlongs. First big horse for Barbados native trainer Tedston Holder, who has never won more than 11 races in a calendar year. Jockey Rico Walcott also represents the island of Barbados and has been a dominant rider in western Canadian provinces.

#16 El Cohete (Michael DePaulo // Eswan Flores)

Potential early pace player has made the lead at some point in all four career starts to date. But this will be his first stakes attempt and first bid beyond 1-1/16 miles, a doubly daunting task. Like Plate rival Paramount Prince, he’s by the quality turf miler Society’s Chairman.

#17 Moon Landing (Kevin Attard // Luis Contreras)

Son of Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Nyquist must snap a 5-race losing streak since his debut win. Trainer Kevin Attard won last year with the filly Moira and can be the first trainer to win back-to-back since Mark Frostad in 2000-’01. Jockey Luis Contreras is a 2-time Plate victor in 2011 (Inglorious) and 2017 (Holy Helena), both fillies.

Also-Eligible: Enjoythesilent (Kevin Attard // TBA)

Late supplement to the King’s Plate in June has won just 1 of 4 starts and hasn’t attempted a stakes. Trainer Kevin Attard won last year with the filly Moira and can be the first trainer to win back-to-back since Mark Frostad in 2000-’01. Needs one scratch to make the lineup.

Also-Eligible: Runaway Charlie (Mike Doyle // TBA)

Three-race maiden is full-brother to 2022 Queen’s Plate-winning filly Moira and has shown modest improvement in each start. Needs two scratches to make the lineup.