NEWS
Big Red Mike powers to front-running triumph in Queen’s Plate
Posted: Sunday, July 04, 2010 7:28 PM
BIG RED MIKE
Michael Burns photo
For video of the Queen's Plate Stakes, click here.
by Mike Curry
Big Red Mike set a comfortable pace in the $944,316 Queen’s Plate Stakes, spurted clear approaching the stretch, and powered to classic glory on Sunday at Woodbine under Eurico Rosa da Silva.
Da Silva became the first jockey since Craig Perret (Alydeed, 1992 and Peteski, ‘93) to win consecutive editions of the 1 1/4-mile Queen’s Plate, the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown. Da Silva won the race last year aboard Eye of the Leopard.
With Queen Elizabeth II in attendance for the 151st edition of the Queen’s Plate, Canada’s most prestigious race, Big Red Mike set the tempo through a half-mile in :49.39 and six furlongs in 1:14.31 while pressed by stakes winner Hotep. The Plate Trial Stakes winner steadily pulled away from game runner-up Hotep in the stretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the 5-to-1 third wagering choice.
"He ran very relaxed, he gave me no problems," said da Silva. "He was so focused, you know. I went to the lead easy and he did the job. This horse ran so hard today. I'm just so proud of him. I'm going to see the Queen today."
Big Red Mike covered 1 1/4 miles in 2:04.89 on the synthetic Polytrack surface to improve to three wins, two seconds, and one third from six starts and earnings of $725,881 for owner-breeder Terra Farms. Nicholas Gonzalez trains the Tenpins gelding, who determinedly battled back in the Plate Trial to prevail after he was headed in the stretch by Mobilizer.
Big Red Mike showed that courage again in the stretch of the Queen’s Plate as he was unyielding in the final furlong of a clear victory. Big Red Mike was Gonzalez’s first starter in the Queen’s Plate.
"I'm pinching myself to see if this is real," Gonzalez said. "I left it up to Eurico. I thought it was going to be a jockey's race. My wife [Martha], son, and I were jumping up and down so much that it's just kind of a blur in my eye right now."
Bred in Ontario, Big Red Mike is out of the unraced Vice Regent mare Regent n’Flashy, a half sister to multiple stakes winner and leading Canadian sire Bold n’ Flashy and graded stakes winner Flashy n Smart.
Hotep was second from start to finish under jcokey Patrick Husbands and was 1 1/4 lengths clear of Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser winner Roan Inish.
Mobilizer, bidding to give trainer Roger Attfield a record ninth win in the classic, finished tenth in the 13-horse field.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Ray, Glendale, CA on July 05, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Big Red Mike ran a terrific race in the Queen's Plate, an outstanding effort. I won't be surprised, however, to learn that he did not come out of the race well. He was in some sort of distress as they were unsaddling him. I noted movement indicating pain in his right hind leg. The announcers noted that he appeared overheated. I hope he's alright, especially considering what he's given his owners.
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Posted by: Nick, lewiston, NY on July 04, 2010 at 08:00 PM
Congrats to Team Gonzalez winning the 151st Queen's Plate with BIG RED MIKE. Local Niagara Falls trainer Nick Gonzalez gets it done and certainly earned and deserved it with all the hard work he has put in through his training years. His home track of Fort Erie, where he is the leading trainer is celebrating wildly. We are absolutely THRILLED!!!!!!
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