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Baker hoping to strike Queen's Plate gold with trio of runners
Sending a longshot into the Oaks didn't phase Baker. "It was a huge opportunity," he said. "She wasn't really ready for her race last year against (Oaks rival) Shez a Masterpiece (Mast Track), who was supposedly one of the better fillies around here. I thought we could have beat her (Shez a Masterpiece) that day, but we were maybe a little green or not fit enough. If you make her equal to her (Shez a Masterpiece), why not give her the opportunity in the Oaks. It's a one shot chance just like the Plate." Baker believes Academic, with Stein returning, is capable of another surprise score on Sunday. "I've had luck with small fillies," the horseman stated. "Size wise, she's comparable to Bear Now and she made $1.3-million." Bear At Last, a one-time winner in 11 outings, will be piloted once again on Sunday by Rico Walcott. The dark bay finished seventh in the Plate Trial, a race in which he was shuffled back at the turn. "He was definitely compromised, but I don't know what it means as far as the results go, because there were lots of horses compromised," Baker noted. "If you watch close, at the end of the race he's going as fast as anyone else and wasn't beat that far. "He's bred to go the distance, so we'll give him a chance. Rico thinks it's a good idea, so we'll bring him out and try again." With 11 races under his belt, the rallying Bear At Last will be, by far, the most experienced horse in the Plate field. "He's certainly fit enough, we don't have to worry about that," Baker remarked. "It's nice to have a horse with a different kind of style, because you don't know how the track will play that day." Breaking Lucky broke his maiden at Woodbine in April, then just missed by a head when second in a 1 1/16-mile allowance/optional claimer. Last out, with Antonio Gallardo up, the chestnut colt finished a disappointing seventh in an allowance going the same distance while facing older company. "He was rank around the first turn, he kept throwing his head," Baker explained. "I don't mind the regression in the last race, we're looking for a booming race this time. We're looking for his lifetime best and I think we'll get it." At press time, Baker had yet to decide who will ride the chestnut in the Plate. With three contenders in the mix, Baker is quietly optimistic of earning his first Plate score in Sunday's test. However, the trainer is also most wary of another veteran horseman when assessing the Plate field. "You always have to worry about Roger Attfield in the Plate. He's won the race eight times," he said. And as for his own chances? "I've been here at Woodbine a long time, almost 50 years. I came with my sister to watch Northern Dancer win the Plate in 1964," Baker smiled. "It's been a long time. If it's in the cards, it's in the cards. You can't worry about horses getting beat. Secretariat got beat, it happens." In other Queen's Plate news: He'll be a longshot when the gates open for the 156th running of the Queen's Plate, but Milwaukee Mist (Milwaukee Brew) has certainly shown a penchant for outrunning his odds. The bay gelding broke his maiden at Turfway Park on January 3 at 29-1, ran fifth in the in the 96Rock S. at 24-1, then filled the third spot in the John Battaglia Memorial S. at 66-1. "He's taken on some pretty tough competition here in the U.S.," trainer Pavel Matejka said. "I really think he's going to like the (Plate distance of) 1 1/4 miles. Hopefully, we can get an outside post, get him to settle and then make a nice run when he's called on." Gary Boulanger, who won the Plate in 2001 with filly Dancethruthedawn, will pilot Milwaukee Mist in Sunday's "Gallop for the Guineas." The sophomore enters the race off a trio of turf starts in Kentucky, including a runner-up effort at Keeneland in April "We're all very excited to be part of this race," Matejka added. "We freshened him up with some nice works and we feel good about how he's coming into the race. Hopefully, our first chance to be in the Queen's Plate is a memorable one."
"We thought he ran a huge race and really thought he improved a lot and decided to go ahead (to the Plate)," Vella said. "He's very versatile, that's what is best about him. He can show a bit of speed if you want. He can show a turn of foot to run well going short but he'll turn off if you want him to. He's versatile and that's an asset in a big field." Vella isn't too concerned about starting a maiden in the Plate. "He got beat a neck last time or we wouldn't be having that discussion," he stated. "I don't think it matters. He was closing hard on much older horses on a day that the pace favored the older horse...we think he'll improve a lot off his last race. I don't think he knows any different." Ault, should he win, would be the fourth maiden to win the Plate since 1952, the last maiden Plate winner being Scatter the Gold in 2000. Thursday's Queen's Plate morning draw from the Woodbine walking ring will be streamed live at www.queensplate.com. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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