Munnyfor Ro is a go for the $1-million Queen's Plate.
Trainer Kevin Attard confirmed Monday the '21 Woodbine Oaks champion will race in the opening jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown on Sunday at Woodbine Racetrack. Last week, Attard said Munnyfor Ro was being pointed toward the Plate but said he needed time to ensure all was well with the filly following her solid victory in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks on Aug. 1.
"She's doing really well and has come out of the Oaks in good shape," Attard said Monday. "She had a nice, little breeze Thursday and we're very excited and eager to see her hopefully double-up now with the Canadian Oaks-Queen's Plate double, maybe."
Munnyfor Ro showed she's a definite Plate contender after winning the 1 1/8-mile Oaks on Woodbine's Tapeta course in 1:50.31. Earlier in the day, Avoman captured the $150,000 Plate Trial in 1:52.84 over the same distance and surface.
Munnyfor Ro's connections will pay a $25,000 supplemental fee to have her run in the Plate and chase the $600,000 winner's prize.
Four Oaks starters have gone to beat the boys and win the 1 1/4-mile Plate, the longest continuously run thoroughbred stakes race in North America. Inglorious did so in 2011, followed by Lexie Lou (2014), Holy Helena (2017) and Wonder Gadot (2018).
Inglorious, Lexie Lou and Holy Helena completed the Oaks-Plate double while Wonder Gadot captured the Plate after finishing second in the Oaks to Dixie Moon.
Attard isn't the least bit worried about the Plate distance.
"Her 1 1/8-mile race looked like she had more left in the tank," Attard said. "She got to the front and held her position and it didn't look to me like she was tiring.
"It didn't look like she was all-out at that point, either. I definitely think the mile-and-a-quarter will definitely be within her forte."
Jockey Justin Stein, who rode Munnyfor Ro to her Oaks victory, will be aboard her for the Plate. Stein captured the '12 Plate aboard Strait of Dover.
Attard said the Plate wasn't initially on the radar for Munnyfor Ro. However her Oaks win and solid showing in that race gave the connections plenty to ponder, especially considering this year's Plate is generally regarded as being a wide-open affair.
"The Oaks was obviously a big target for her," Attard said. "After that race and the fact that nobody out of the colt division has really risen to the top just kind of put the bug in the owner's ear (Raroma Stable) about possibly coming to the Plate.
"It's a big, wide-open race, I think it's anyone's race. I think it's which horse steps up Sunday to run the best race of their life that day."
The Oaks win was the second in seven starts this year for Munnyfor Ro, who's now 2-2-2 from nine career races.
And for the first time since 2019, fans will be allowed to attend the Plate. Approximately 5,000 spectators are expected to be at Woodbine for the race.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2021.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
