Husbands chasing King’s Plate record

This weekend, Barbados’ most successful jockey will be going after a record-equalling fourth King’s Plate. The signature race for three-year-old horses goes off at Woodbine Racetrack in northern Toronto, Canada this Saturday August 17. And Patrick Husbands will climb aboard Essex Serpent in the chase.

The 50-year-old Husbands, who won the 2023 King’s Plate aboard Paramount Prince, captured his first Plate aboard Wando in 2003. Husbands then went on to sweep the Canadian Triple Crown aboard Wando, a feat that has not been repeated since.

The Barbadian top jockey’s other King’s Plate victory was aboard Lexie Lou in 2014. The Plate is considered Canada’s most famous race. This will be the 165th running.

The late Avelino Gomez, Sandy Hawley, and Robin Platts are equal on four King’s Plate triumphs. Husbands, winner of over 3,000 races in his illustrious career, has an excellent shot. His mount, Essex Serpent, can help him join the top trio.

Essex Serpent is a winner of two of his three lifetime starts, just losing the Marine Stakes to stablemate My Boy Prince, with whom he will face off again in the 1 1/4-mile CDN $1 million Plate.

My Boy Prince and Essex Serpent have both been trained by Mark Casse. My Boy Prince was the Canadian champion two-year-old last year. Casse will be looking for a 1-2 finish in the King’s Plate, just as he did last year when Paramount Prince defeated Elysian Field.

Husbands will be the lone Bajan rider in the 13-horse field, with Essex Serpent drawn at the No. 3 post. Essex Serpent is the 2-1 second favourite, behind only his training mate. My Boy Prince, breaking from the No. 7 post, is the 7-5 favourite.

Essex Serpent is groomed by Bajan Wayne Grant while Bajan groom Ivan Forde looks after My Boy Prince, the 2024 Plate Trial champion.

My Selection for the King’s Plate: Essex Serpent, My Boy Prince, Rafaroo, Midnight Mascot.

(KL)