Sunday’s $150,000 Queen’s Plate Trial at Woodbine turned into a showcase for Artie Schiller after We Miss Artie bested Majestic Sunset by three-quarters of a length for a “Artie exacta” in the traditional prep race for the Queen’s Plate (G1), Canada’s version of the Kentucky Derby (VIDEO).
We Miss Artie added to an already-impressive resume that includes wins in the 2013 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and the Spiral S. (G3) this spring at Turfway Park. His overall mark now stands at 4-2-0 in 10 starts, with earnings of $691,908 after the $90,000 payday.
Majestic Sunset showed plenty of grit in defeat. After setting a contested pace for most of the nine furlong trip, he put away a fading Man Cave late on the turn. Meanwhile, We Miss Artie was gaining momentum from fifth in the seven horse field. The pair raced together until deep stretch, when We Miss Artie pulled clear from a resilient Majestic Sunset.
The final time for the 1 1/8-miles was a solid 1:50.78.
“He was boxed in there (for a while)”, said assistant trainer Ginny DePasquale. “For a moment, you get a little nervous but we knew he would come through in the end. He’s got a big heart, found an opening and went on. Javier just kind of saved him at the wire a little bit.”
We Miss Artie is trained by Todd Pletcher and races in the familiar colors of Ken and Sarah Ramsey. Bred in Ontario by Richard Lister, Ramsey acquired the colt for $90,000 out of the 2012 Keeneland September Yearling sale.
Majestic Sunset, trained by Mark Casse for John Oxley, also placed in the $250,000 Coronation Futurity last November, also at Woodbine, and has now earned $111,486.
