Does My Boy Prince have what it takes to win the 165th King's Plate? Robert Criscola breaks down the Woodbine Racecourse odds and offers your free betting picks.
August 21, 2024 • 10:05 ET • 4 min read
Canada's version of the Kentucky Derby returns to action on Friday, less than a week after being postponed because of inclement weather. Thirteen of Canada's best 3-year-olds will compete in the 165th running of the $1 million King's Plate at Woodbine Race Track.
Plate Trial winner My Boy Prince is the favorite to win the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, but Grade III Marine Stakes winner Essex Serpent looks set to pose a real challenge to his Mark Cass stablemate, and there's always the chance a longshot could turn things around.
My free bet pick will attempt to extract some value from this year's King's Plate on August 23rd.
Kingsplate odds, predictions and best bets
Race: Woodbine Racecourse, Race 9 Start time: 5:34 PM ET TV: Rogers Sports Net Racecourse odds: 1 Jokester 20-1 +2,000 2 LaFaloo 8-1 +800 3 Essex Serpent 2-1 +200 4 Caitlin Helgness 12-1 +1,200 5 Midnight Mascot 10-1 +1,000 6 Friendly Ghost 30-1 +3,000 7 My Boy Prince 7-5 +160 8 Pierre 20-1 +2,000 9 Sword Cause 50-1 +5,000 10 Bedard 30-1 +3,000 11 Roar of the Clouds 50-1 +5,000 12 No More Options 30-1 +2,000 +3,000 13 Vitality 20-1 +2,000
Odds as of 8-21
Number 7 My Boy Prince (7-5, the morning line favourite) will be looking to extend his record to 6 wins from 7 on Woodbine's all-weather main track in this Saturday's King's Plate and I think he will be tough to beat if the race goes well.
My Boy Prince was at least a length behind and dropped to last place within the first few strides in last month's Plate Trial Stakes. Despite a poor start, the son of Cairo Prince persevered to beat runner-up Rafalu (8-1) by more than a length.
The race suggests My Boy Prince is capable of handling the 1 1/4 mile distance of the King's Plate, a mystery to all the other horses in the field. Jockey Sahin Civaci had a poor start out of the gate and was unable to hold ground on either turn. It also suggests My Boy Prince can weather the traffic jams that are often unavoidable in a big race like the King's Plate.
Third-placed Essex Serpent (2-1) is the biggest threat to the top pick in this 1 1/16-mile race after beating a runner in open company in the Grade III Marine Stakes. After being handily beaten by My Boy Prince in their June 9 matchup, Essex Serpent got off to a slow start and had a tough time even catching up to second in this sprint event.
Essex Serpent was once again in his element at Marine Racecourse, taking every stride to victory. In his debut as a breaker he was able to set the pace and then take off in the closing stages. The son of Honour Code could be even stronger in just his fourth start and distance doesn't seem to be an issue. Woodbine Racing Hall of Famer Patrick Husbands will be in charge.
Fourth-place finisher Kaitlyn Helgutnes (12-1) is the only filly in the race and was last seen losing the lead in the closing stages of the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks. She may not be able to run 10 furlongs today, but jockey Rafael Hernandez may have moved her too early in her last race. Trainer Kevin Attard has been training well recently and she is favorable on the morning line.
Lafalu has only raced twice and is still searching for his first career win, which may be difficult to come by in this field, but the speed he has recorded and a brave second place in the Plate Trial suggest he will at least be in the top three on Saturday.
There's not much value in betting just on Essex Serpent or My Boy Prince to win, and I'm also worried that an exacta box with these horses finishing in the top two in any placing would also be underlaid. Instead, I'll turn to the trifecta market and only bet on these two in the win slot. For second and third places, Rafaroo and Caitlinhergrtness are my two favourites, and I'll also bet a small amount on Caitlinhergrtness to win as a savings bet.
King's Plate Winner: My Boy Prince (+160 at bet365)
Best bets: $1 trifecta 3,7/2,3,4,7/2,3,4,7, $1 trifecta 7/2,3,4/2,3,4, $2 trifecta 7/3/2,4, $2 win 4 ($24)
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Recent Kings Plate Winners
Year Horse Final Odds 2023 Paramount Prince 8-1 2022 Moira* 9-5 2021 Safe Conduct 3-1 2020 Mighty Heart 13-1 2019 One Bad Boy 3-1 2018 Wonder Gadot* 2-1 2017 Holly Helena* 2-1 2016 Sir Dudley Diggs 15-1 2015 Shaman Ghost 3-1 2014 Lexy Lu* 3-1
*Indicates a mare
