Tipsheet: 2026 King’s Plate

A strong and deep field of 12 sophomores will run 1 1/4 miles on the Tapeta surface in Saturday’s historic, $1 million King’s Plate S. at Woodbine.  

King’s Plate Picks

• #1 Luster
• #9 Brachetto
• #12 Military Time
• #8 Highwaytothemoon

King’s Plate Wagers

• $5 exacta key box 1 with 8,9,12
• $1 trifecta 1 with 8,9,12 with all
• 20-cent superfecta 1 with 8,9,12 with 8,9,12 with all

King’s Plate Contenders

#1 LUSTER: Deserving favorite from the Josie Carroll shedrow is four-for-five in her lifetime and comes off a smashing score in the Woodbine Oaks on the oval most recently. The ultra-talented Knicks Go filly does have to overcome a tricky post on the fence in a big field, but she is unbeaten going a route of ground and gets top billing under John Velazquez. 

#2 FIRE AND WINE: Stakes-winning son of Lexitonian has outrun his $5,000 auction price tag for sure, but his current form is not positive, and others are much more likely in the classic tilt. 

#3 BAAEED ALYNNA: Chestnut colt from the barn of Kevin Attard ran just evenly when a wide sixth in the Plate Trial S. last time out and will need to take a big step forward to upset this fine cast with Civaci in the silks. The $180,000 yearling buy will make one run from off the early tempo. 

#4 IMYOURMEDICINEMAN: Shaman Ghost gelding ran a lifetime best when second in the Plate Trial and has some exotics appeal with a step forward in this heat. The Ladouceur pupil seems likely to handle the move to 10 furlongs on Saturday, and the three-year-old bay comes in with a pair of solid morning moves as of late, too. Luis Contreras will be on board. 

#5 DIXIE LAW: Woodbine Oaks runner-up is an accomplished daughter of Tiz the Law who will be in with a chance late with her best performance. The filly did beat the boys in a stakes event as a juvenile, and I feel as though the move to 1 1/4 miles will be in her scope with Pietro Moran taking the reins. 

#6 DON IQUE: Astern colt from the Carroll shedrow made a late move from last to finish fifth in the Plate Trial last out and will need a pace collapse to aid his chance against this deep crew. The Ontario-bred colt will appreciate the added ground beneath Emma-Jayne Wilson. 

#7 MAGICAL FACTOR: Marine (G3) second for Rachel Halden has been good this campaign and is surely a top-four contender on this occasion. The bay son of The Factor was close to a fast pace when a game second in his latest and could sit a nice trip stalking the early fractions with Jose Campos in the stirrups. 

#8 HIGHWAYTOTHEMOON: One of two from the Desruisseaux shedrow brings fine form to the contest with four top-two results in succession. The gelded son of Ransom the Moon was a stout winner of the Plate Trial in his most recent venture and wouldn’t be a surprise in this spot with Rafael Hernandez retaining the mount. 

#9 BRACHETTO: Julia Carey trainee upset the Marine from off the pace at nine panels most recently and will be dangerous in his second two-turn race on Saturday. The Vekoma colt has stamina influences on his dam’s side and might thrive at the trip at a fair price beneath Ryan Munger. 

#10 VERY SPECIAL: One of two from the Kevin Attard shedrow comes in with a pair of solid placings in the maiden ranks and will have blinkers added for his black-type debut. The Stronach homebred would be a huge surprise in the event, but he remains a nice prospect who could have a bright future, nonetheless. Romero Maragh has the assignment.

#11 BOND MARKET: Second-timer looked good in his winning unveiling on the course, but he is being asked a lot in his second run from a wide post slot. The Carlos Grant charge will be doing his best work from off the pace with Xarel Forde in the silks.

#12 MILITARY TIME: Gun Runner colt from the Casse barn will have blinkers on for the initial time and rates a chance despite drawing widest of all in the tilt. The consistent colt was an encouraging third in the recent Plate Trial, and if the equipment change aids him, then the $350,000 yearling purchase could be a player in the latter stages of the contest beneath Fraser Aebly.