Scully: Spot Plays for King’s Plate Day at Woodbine

Saturday’s 166th running of the King’s Plate S. attracted 13 Canadian-bred sophomores, and the 1 1/4-mile test on Woodbine’s Polytrack lacks a definitive favorite, with the lone filly in the mix, Woodbine Oaks winner No Time, installed as a slight 7-2 morning line choice.

I will play an up-and-coming gelding, #12 Sedburys Ghost (6-1), following a sharp score in the Plate Trial S. on July 20.

By 2015 Queen’s Plate winner Shaman Ghost, who also captured the 2017 Santa Anita H. (G1) at 10 furlongs, Sedburys Ghost is out of a mare by Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) hero Sligo Bay and clearly bred for longer distances. The Barbara Minshall-trained chestnut was able to win two of his first three starts at sprints, including his 2025 comebacker over a nice group of allowance rivals (runner-up and third-place finisher won next out) in mid-June.

Sedburys Ghost finally stretched out in distance for the 1 1/16-mile Marine (G3) three weeks later. He was taken in hand after breaking aggressively but didn’t experience a clean trip in traffic, offering a good run when clear late to miss by less than two lengths. He improved significantly from the experience in the 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial, settling nicely off the pace before offering an eye-catching turn of foot to seize control by midstretch.

His 89 Brisnet Speed rating from the convincing win compares favorably to his main rivals, and Sedburys Ghost is one of two runners in the King’s Plate with a win beyond 8 1/2 furlongs. He looks poised to relish the added ground Saturday, and Sedburys Ghost rates top billing from off the pace.

Here are some other spot plays on the 13-race program.

Race 3

His back form is nothing to shout about, but #1 Found My Ball (12-1) returned from a 13-month layoff with a fine showing under allowance conditions on July 20, showing good speed and registering one of the top Speed ratings in the field, finishing second. Throw out his main track form – the seven-year-old gelding is much better on turf – and his last performance catches the eye in this allowance/optional claiming event. Found My Ball figures to be prominent from the break, and I’ll look for a good showing from his inside post. 

Race 8 – Bold Venture (G3)

#7 I’m a Gambler (8-1) recording a convincing win when switching from turf to synthetic last year, and the Keven Attard-trained gelding will look to follow the same pattern in the Bold Venture (G3) at 6 1/2 furlongs. A close third in this event last year, I’m a Gambler turned in a fast effort over the distance/track two back, and I like the addition of Flavien Prat.

Race 10 – King Edward (G2)

A versatile four-year-old colt, #5 Dresden Row (3-1) was too far back in his last two efforts, including a sprint attempt, and the multiple Grade 3 winner figures to enjoy a more favorable up-close trip in the King Edward (G2). There’s some speed to his outside in the starting gate, but the pace should be prominent, and Dresden Row can return to the winner’s circle.