Luster Eyes Fourth Queen’s/King’s Plate After Dominant Oaks Victory
Trainer Josie Carroll, a three‑time Queen’s/King’s Plate champion, is poised to chase a fourth triumph next month with a filly that has already turned heads.
Luster blew away the $750,000 Woodbine Oaks on Sunday, delivering a performance that catapulted her into the favorite role for the August 15 classic.
Under jockey John Velazquez, the five‑start mare broke well, seized the early lead, and pulled away from Dixie Law in the homestretch, finishing strongly to seal the win.
“Incredibly exciting horse,” Carroll said. “She definitely looks like she can find a way into the field,” adding that “she seems to be moving forward all the time.”
Distance Not a Problem
Three‑year‑old gelding Highwaytothemoon proved that stamina can be a strength, capturing the $200,000 Plate Trial Stakes after a comfortable one‑length victory over Casson and Imyourmedicineman.
Rafael Hernandez guided the horse into the lead early and let him settle into a steady rhythm before unleashing his speed on the stretch.
“He showed a lot of heart,” Hernandez remarked. “I wanted to make sure he was in the race and didn’t do anything too early.” When asked to urge him forward, the gelding responded promptly.
This was his first attempt at two turns, having previously only contested one‑turn sprints, including a recent win in the seven‑eighths‑mile Queenston Stakes. Coach Dale Desruisseaux noted the surprise: “He did everything we asked of him, progressing from a five‑eighth in his debut to a full mile and an eighth.”
Other Winners at Woodbine
In the $200,000 Nassau Stakes, Vina Arana delivered a dominant four‑length triumph while positioned at the rear of a seven‑horse field on the turf course.
Ridden by Adam Beschizza, the five‑year‑old Irish mare rallied in the final corner and proved her class, now boasting three wins from 12 career starts after training in Kentucky under Jack Sisterson.
The $200,000 Connaught Cup saw six‑year‑old gelding GT Five Hundred earn a surprise victory at 31‑to‑1 odds.
Jose Campos kept the horse near the pace throughout the mile, then nudged Piper’s Factor off the rail to overtake Maycocks Bay before fending off Irish Aces by a narrow margin.
Trained by Dale Desruisseaux, GT Five Hundred now carries an impressive record of 11 wins in 44 starts.
