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REFLECTIONS by nelson dunstan TORONTO, Ontario, May 25. — The Kings Plate, oldest continuously run turf event on the American continent, will have its 92nd decision at the historic Woodbine track here tomorrow. Our own Kentucky Derby and Preakness were wide open races, and after talking with our fellow columnist. columnist, Frank Frank Armstroner. Armstrong, and and columnist. columnist, Frank Frank Armstroner. Armstrong, and and Charley Ayres, who beats the tom-toms for the Ontario Jockey Club, we learn that the people of Canada look upon their greatest horse race in the same light. At a mile and a furlong, the Kings Plate is undoubtedly one. of the most unique races in the turf world, even though it is restricted to Canadian-bred three-year-olds owned by a British subject residing in Canada. That stresses the sporting "neighbor-against-neighbor" competition. Other provisions in the conditions test the ability of those who endeavor to select the winner. For a few years the conditions were modified to permit an owner to give his horse tune-up races in the United States, and ship him back to Woodbine for the Plate, which trophy, in the eyes of Canadians, is valued just as highly as the ones symbolizing victory in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Last year, to make conditions more- equitable for all starters, the Ontario Jockey Club restored the earlier restrictions forbidding candidates to train outside the country or to take "Part in any contest as three-year-olds before the Plate renewal. These horses cannot engage in any preliminary race, with the exception of the Plate Trial at Woodbine. AAA This writer has been somewhat confused by the 50 guineas donated by the King of England to the winner of the Kings Plate run at Woodbine and the Kings Plate run at Blue Bonnets. The latter event of the Montreal Woodbine Features 92nd Kings Plate Running This Years Event Also Wide Open Contest Englands King Still Donates Fifty Guineas Canadians Interested in Englands Derby Jockey Club is scheduled for July 14. We have never seen a Plate at Blue Bonnets. Back in 1944 when the late Harry Hatchs Acara won the Kings Plate at Woodbine, we looked up what we thought was an authoritative review of the royal donation. When we arrived in Canada that year, Armstrong and some of the other newspaper boys up here gently told us that "some of our statements were not quite correct." The official records of the Ontario Jockey Club show that the 50 guineas for the Woodbine event were originally donated in 1859 by Queen Victoria upon petition of the Toronto Turf Club. This donation, which is added to the 5,000 of the Ontario Jockey Club, has been continued right through to His Majesty King George VI. In 1939, the King and Queen were present for the 80th running of the Plate here at Woodbine. The Plate at Blue Bonnets antedates the Woodbine event, having been established in 1836 and that year King William IV. made the original 50 guineas donation to the winning owner. AAA The Kings Plate is a race which is much more remindful of the smaller courses in England than those in the United States. There is a gay atmosphere and yet, a growing tenseness as the day wears on toward the running of the Plate. The occasion is marked by all the carnival spirit that prevails oh Epsom Derby day and for our own Kentucky Derby. The members of the Ontario Jockey Club are bedecked irfray toppers and cutaways. The highlanders play their bagpipes, rendering airs which would defy identification by anybody in "stop the music," which program awards nine automobiles, a trip to Europe and heaven knows what else to the winner. After the race, members of the Ontario Jockey Club invite guests to the clubhouse to drink a toast to the King and Queen, the Governor General of Canada, the owner, trainer and jockey of the winner, and, capacity permitting, even one for the horse, and another for the road. We love being up here and we are going to keep on coming as long as a Kings Plate is run in our lifetime. AAA The .people of Canada have long been interested in the turf and through the years many sportsmen have contributed mightily to racing in their own country and also in the United States. The Seagram family was among the most powerful in both countries and so, too, was Comdr. J. K. L. Ross of Montreal, who led the winning owners of all the Americas in 1918 and 1919 when Sir Barton and his stablemates made racing history. Coming down to the present year, those who nominated for the Kings Plate include E. P. Taylor, Carr Hatch, Jim Speers and many others well known on the American turf. E. P. Taylor, owner of Navy Chief and other horses, nominated no less than seven for the running of the Plate tomorrow. The entries will tell you which of his color-bearers will be in the race which he won with Epic two years ago. The horse who wins the Kings Plate will compete in the many other Canadian stakes to come. Though we may not hear much about him in the United States, he will still be a champion in Canadian racing. AAA Canadians are naturally as interested in the Epsom Derby as we are in the United States. Perhaps more so. Continued on Page Thirty-Seven REFLECTIONS I By NELSON DUNSTAN Continued from Page Forty-Eight The English event, which will be run this Wednesday, appears to be as, wide open j as the three-year-old events on this side of the water have been to date this season. In the "Racing Review," which arrived at our desk a few days, ago from London, the editor reports that had the American-owner Big Dipper been a starter he would have been a pronounced favorite. But, even so, William Woodwards Turco n., in the | opinion of the British editor, will be the ! choice when the field goes to the post. He reports, "This year, Turco n. made his reappearance at Hurst Park in a seven-furlong race. Prior to the race, I went and took a good look at him. He seems to have grown very little since last season and although one could detect that his trainer had left plenty to work on, I formed the opinion that he was as forward in condition as any of his rivals." Apparently, the horse the English think may take the measure of Turco n. is Marcel Boussacs colt, Nyangal. Boussac sends fine horses to England, but we believe Canadians would be as happy as we below the border if Woodward finally won an Epsom Derby.
