Stablemates Threat to Queen's Plate Choice Telekinesis

Mark Casse thinks morning-line favoritism for Queen's Plate choice Telekinesis is merited, but the trainer also believes the biggest threat to Stonestreet Stables' Ghostzapper  colt could come from within his own ranks.

While 16 Ontario-bred 3-year-olds will line up for the June 30 Queen's Plate at Woodbine—the race's largest field since 2011—Casse sends out a trio that includes Gary Barber's Sovereign Award-winning 2-year-old filly Wonder Gadot and Chiefswood Stable's homebred Neepawa. Those three are among 17 Casse-trained horses entered on the Saturday card at Woodbine alone. From June 29-July 1, between Woodbine, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Belmont Park, he has 45 entered.

Taking a moment between saddling horses Friday at the Toronto track, the Canadian Hall of Famer said he isn't expecting his other contenders to set up the 1 1/4-mile race for Telekinesis.

"I think he's got to step up," Casse said of the June 9 Plate Trial Stakes winner. "I think his Plate Trial was good, but I think both our other horses are going to give him a run for his money."

Casse said the $470,000 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale purchase is a versatile runner and noted his sire's success in producing Queen's Plate winners. Ghostzapper is the sire of 2017 winner Holy Helena and 2015 winner Shaman Ghost .

"He's just a good horse," Casse said of Telekinesis. "Of course, Ghostzapper's had tremendous success in the Queen's Plate. Telekinesis is an exceptional horse (on) dirt or Tapeta, and probably (on) turf as well."

Many local pundits are high on Wonder Gadot, who missed the May 4 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) by half a length to Monomoy Girl and was second by a head to fellow Queen's Plate contender Dixie Moon in the June 9 Budweiser Woodbine Oaks. Hall of Famer John Velazquez ships in from New York to ride, as local jockey Patrick Husbands has the call on Telekinesis. 

"She's been very unlucky," Casse said of the Medaglia d'Oro  filly. "She's lost about $1 million in purses by about five feet in her last three races. She just needs something to go her way. A mile and a quarter, that is going to be right in her wheelhouse, and I'm sure Johnny's going to give her a great ride."

Last but not least in Casse's arsenal is a Scat Daddy colt who comes in under his stablemates' shadows. Neepawa is seeking his first win since a January maiden score on the Gulfstream Park lawn, and he was third May 20 in a 1 1/16-mile allowance/optional claimer on the Tapeta at Woodbine. Florent Geroux has the call.

"I think he's a good horse," the trainer said. "So far he's been an underachiever. I think he's been unlucky. He's by Scat Daddy, he goes well over the Tapeta, and he's training as good as the other two. It wouldn't shock me (if he won). I had a conversation with Florent just a little bit ago, he's about to get on a plane, and I said, 'This horse is going to run really, really well.'"

Casse teamed with Barber to win their first edition of the Queen's Plate in 2014 with eventual Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou. Having built the strength of his operation at Woodbine before going on to success in the United States, the Indiana native said he has great respect for the 159-year-old classic.

"Woodbine and Toronto have been such a big part of my life, and around here the Queen's Plate is everything," he said. "It was hard getting the first win with Lexie Lou, so hopefully we can get it done on Saturday."