This makes it two in a row for wet finishes at the Queen’s Plate, the first leg of Canada’s thoroughbred horse racing triple crown held Sunday at Woodbine racetrack.
And it was Midnight Aria who slogged its way to the win with Jesse Campbell aboard – in the black and red checkers, below – leading the entire mile and a quarter to take the 154th running of the $1-million race.
Just like last year, the day started sunny and hot – a perfect day for the women to bring out the fancy hats…
…and for the men to take us back in time to an era when hats were the norm.
Then the skies opened up.
The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, arrives trackside in the pouring rain amid plenty of pomp and ceremony.
Famed jockey Joel Rosario, winner of this year’s Dubai World Cup and the Kentucky Derby, returns from the track after riding the Roger Attfield-trained Forte Dei Marmi to a win in the eighth race of the day.
Rosario also rode Plate Trial winner Dynamic Sky to third in the Queen’s Plate race.
Below, racetrack officials brave heavy showers as they convene in the middle of the turf to discuss track conditions…
…and, like Sean Gault, senior manager of thoroughbred racing surfaces, return soaking wet, below.
But despite the wet weather, it seems everyone enjoyed the day with a smile.
Mike's Photography 