Filly Luster earns emphatic victory in $1-million King’s Plate thoroughbred race

“I’ve been very lucky and very blessed with the fillies,” Velazquez said. “Running against the colts and coming here to Canada and winning the (Plate) for a second time.”

Trainer Josie Carroll captured her fourth Plate victory and first since 2020 with Mighty Heart. Carroll’s other wins came with Edenwold (2006) and filly Inglorious (2011).

Military Time, ridden by Fraser Aebly, was second in the 12-horse field ahead of Fire and Wine and jockey Jalon Samuel.

The remainder of the field, in order of finish, was: Dixie Law; Don Ique; Bond Market; Imyourmedicineman; Brachetto; Highwaytothemoon; Baaeed Alynna; Magical Factor; and Very Special.

Luster’s connections had the last pick of Tuesday’s draw and were left with the No. 1 post. But Velazquez deftly moved Luster out of potential trouble at the start, bursting out of the gate and comfortably settling her into fourth behind Fire and Wine, Very Special and Magical Factor.

And it stayed that way until Velazquez moved Luster into second just before the turn for home. She took the lead with a quarter-mile to go then went two lengths ahead at the stretch call before finishing in 2:02.01, just off ’22 Plate champion filly Moira’s track record of 2:01.48.

“I didn’t want to be behind the horse that was on the lead (Fire and Wine), obviously,” Velazquez said. “And so, once I put myself in that position, I had a horse right on my outside and I made sure I pushed him out.

“And then I sat again. She was perfect sitting where I was. Coming to the quarter-pole, I asked her to go and she responded really nice.”

Ironically, Edenwold earned Carroll her first Plate win from the rail. Mansetti also won last year’s race from the No. 1 post.

“Every moment’s anxious till they cross the wire, that’s horse racing,” Carroll said. “But you know, (Luster) was in masterful hands.

“You watch Johnny take her through the trip. You could see he was confident at any point in the race, and (was) just waiting to find the right spot to move her. That, in turn, gave me a lot of confidence just watching the way he was sitting on her.”

But part-owner Andrew Rosen said Carroll had boldly predicted Luster’s Plate win.

“Last year, Josie told me we were going to be standing here,” he said. “I think Josie knew right from the get-go, and Josie’s done an amazing job with her.

“We’re just so happy to have her as our trainer, and Johnny, of course, did a great job.”

With consecutive assertive wins under her saddle, Luster will undoubtedly create plenty of Triple Crown intrigue heading into the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes on Sept. 7 at Fort Erie Race Track. The last horse to win all three Canadians legs was Wando in 2003.

Carroll wasn’t prepared to discuss Luster’s future but initial indications are the horse won’t be heading to Fort Erie Racetrack’s dirt course.

“I think we’re just going to enjoy today,” she said.

Luster earned her fifth win in six career starts (other result was a third-place finish). The $600,000 winner’s share boosted her earnings past $1.093 million.

A labour dispute between Great Canadian Casino and locked-out security officers created pre-race delays at Woodbine. Picket lines set up at property entrances slowed vehicles from entering.

Woodbine had established parking contingency plans for spectators at a nearby mall as well as shuttles.

Also on Saturday’s card, filly De la Renta — ridden by Aebly and conditioned by Kevin Attard — came on the outside to finish ahead of Speaker’s Speech and Rafael Hernandez to win the $150,000 bet365 Soaring Free Stakes. De la Renta posted a time of 1:17.19 and paid $5.60.

It was another close finish in the $175,000 Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes as Souped Up, a 10-1 pick ridden by Emma-Jayne Wilson, finished a head in front of Western Whirl and Aebly. Souped Up paid $23.40 with a winning time of 1:17.06.

Pietro Moran rallied 6-5 favourite Proctor Street from third to a stirring win by a neck over Eponine and Hernandez in the Grade 2 $200,000 Canadian Stakes. Proctor Street hit the finish line in 1:41.40 to pay $4.50.

Velazquez took 6-5 favourite Meloni from last in the 10-horse field to a 3 1/2-length win in the $150,000 Catch a Glimpse Stakes turf event for two-year-old fillies. Meloni, conditioned by Attard, finished in 1:15.62 and paid $4.70.

Moran earned four riding wins on the day while Attard-trained horses earned five victories.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2026.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Filly Luster earns emphatic victory in $1-million King’s Plate thoroughbred race

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