TORONTO — Luster proved Sunday she deserves consideration to run with the boys in the $1-million King's Plate.
Jockey John Velazquez moved Luster from second into the lead just after the half-mile mark of the $750,000 Woodbine Oaks. From there, the 3-5 favourite cruised to a 5 1/2-length victory, taking the 1 1/8-mile opening event of the Canadian Triple Tiara in 1:50.99 at Woodbine Racetrack.
Moments earlier, Highwaytothemoon came on late to claim the $200,000 Plate Trial, also over 1 1/8 miles on Woodbine's Tapeta track, in 1:52.17. The Oaks and Plate Trial are key prep events for the Plate and good indicators regarding potential contenders given they're run over the same distance and surface.
Trainer Josie Carroll won the Oaks for a fourth time. The three-time King's Plate winner said Luster has certainly given her plenty to consider leading up to this year's 1 1/4-mile race Aug. 15 at Woodbine Racetrack.
"I had some questions until (Sunday) but she certainly looks like she'll get her out of ground," Carroll said. "Tremendously exciting horse. She seems to be moving forward all the time."
Carroll became the first female trainer to win the Plate in 2006 with Edenwold. Five years later, she captured her second with filly Inglorious before winning again in 2020 with Mighty Heart.
Moira is the last horse to capture both the Woodbine Oaks and King's Plate in the same year, doing so in 2022. In 2024, Caitlinhergrtness captured the Plate after finishing second in the Oaks.
Dixie Law, ridden by Pietro Moran, was second in the seven-horse field. Bold Time and jockey Fraser Aebly took third.
Luster paid $3.40, $2.20 and $2.10, while Dixie Law returned $4.60 and $3.20. Bold Time paid $4.70.
The win was the third in four starts this season for Luster (the other was a third-place finish). The filly now has four victories to show from five lifetime races.
"It was pretty simple, really," Velazquez said. "You know, we had a good position on the outside.
"I let the horses come to her and let her do her thing. She made it look very easy."
Velazquez also earned a second straight Oaks crown. He won last year aboard No Time.
There was much more drama in the Plate Trial as Highwaytothemoon, with jockey Rafael Hernandez, stood fourth at a half mile and third at the top of the final turn. But Highwaytothemoom moved past both Casson and Powell River on the inside to hit the finish line first, one length ahead of Imyourmedicineman, ridden by Luis Contreras.
Military Time and Aebly took third in a field reduced to 11 horses after Very Special was (vet) scratched. Sunday's race was delayed at the start following the development involving Very Special.
"His mind is so good," said winning trainer Dale Desruisseaux. "I mean, you see him, he wasn't washed out at all.
"A lot of them were getting washed out (but) he was cool and calm … it showed in the race."
Paramount Prince is the last Plate Trial winner to claim the King's Plate, going wire-to-wire under jockey Patrick Husbands for trainer Mark Casse in 2023.
Highwaytothemoon hit the winner's circle for the fourth time in five starts this season, his other finish being second. He now has four victories from seven career races (one second, one third).
"He showed me a big heart," Hernandez said. "You know, he doesn't give up.
"I tried to keep him in contention all the time, involved in the race. When I put him in the clear, he gave me everything he had."
Highwaytothemoon paid $10.30, $6.10 and $3.80, while Imyourmedicineman returned $19.20 and $10.60. Military Time paid $2.90.
Hernandez said the race strategy with Highwaytothemoon was to get a solid break and get into a good position. After getting away cleanly, Hernandez settled his horse in fourth through a half mile before moving up to third at the three-quarter mile mark.
"If they give it to us on the lead we try to do it and make the pace," he said. "But everybody got out of there running to get to their own position, so I did the same to make sure we were involved in the race and didn't make him do too much.
"We've been working (with the horse) and Dale said, 'Rafi, he's going to run good.' So I know he was working good, and he showed up today."
But can Highwaytothemoon go 1 1/4 miles in the Plate?
"That's up to Dale and the owners," Hernandez stated. "I'm open.
"Whatever they want, I'll be there for them."
