Filly the early fave for Queen’s Plate race

TORONTO Luis Contreras has been here before.

The Mexican-born jockey will lead early 3-1 favourite Holy Helena into the $1-million Queen’s Plate on Sunday at Woodbine Racetrack. The dark bay is not only trying to become the first filly since Lexie Lou in 2014 to capture the Plate after winning the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks, but also be the first filly to earn the first jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown for Stronach Stables.

“(Being the favourite) is good for me. I prefer to be one of the favourites,” Contreras said Wednesday following the race draw at Woodbine. “I’ve won it with a filly (2011 aboard Inglorious) and it’s happened before, so why not again?”

Inglorious was Contreras’ first Plate mount. He rallied the filly from 10th position through threequarters of a mile to a remarkable two-and-a-half-length win over 60-1 long shot Hippolytus.

In the 1⅛-mile Oaks on June 11, Contreras and Holy Helena sat third behind Enstone and Mythical Mission on the final turn. But a strong late kick earned Holy Helena her second victory in three career starts.

She also posted a faster time than 20-1 long shot Guy Caballero did in winning the $125,000 Plate Trial, also run over 1⅛ miles June 11.

“That day, what really impressed me was how she finished and how she handled the whole race,” Contreras said. “She handled it like a professional and that makes me very excited.”

The daughter of Ghostzapper will break from the No. 3 post in the 13-horse field Sunday. While that creates the potential challenge of traffic, Contreras is unfazed.

“I know that filly can handle any part of it,” he said confidently. “Last time, she was OK in the gate, so I’m not worried about that.”