TORONTO — The name might be different, but the goal remains the same for jockey Luis Contreras.
Since 1952, the opening leg of Canada's Triple Crown was known as the Queen's Plate, in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. But following her death last year and King Charles III's ascension to the throne, North America’s longest continuously run stakes race will revert to The King’s Plate, starting this year.
And in 2023, the 37-year-old native of Mexico City will chase a third Plate victory. His first came in 2011 with Inglorious, then six years later aboard Holy Helena.
"No matter how many times you win it, when you do, it’s a special feeling," Contreras told Woodbine Entertainment. "I was lucky enough to win the race two times, but I would love to say I won the first King’s Plate."
In 1902, the year after Queen Victoria's death, the race became known as the King's Plate following the succession of Edward VII. It returned to the Queen's Plate during Elizabeth II's reign (1952–2022).
"Winning the Queen’s Plate twice was an amazing feeling both times," Contreras said. "It's a very big race and there is a lot of history behind it.
"The day itself is always great because there are so many fans here and the crowd really enjoys it."
The $1-million King's Plate, over a 1 1/4-mile on Woodbine's Tapeta surface, will be run Aug. 20. The remaining Triple Crown races will be the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes (Sept. 12 at Fort Erie Racetrack) and $400,000 Breeders' Stakes (Oct. 1 at Woodbine).
Contreras currently has amassed 2,440 career wins, including 212 stakes victories. He won 82 races (seven stakes) last year, finishing sixth in the Woodbine riders standings in both victories and purse earnings ($3,169,472).
He was named Canada's top rider in 2011 and '12.
"Each year, I want to do better than the year before and to win the big races," Contreras said. "It’s been a good start to the year riding out in California and hopefully that continues through to the Woodbine season.
"You always want to start the year out strong and carry that throughout the whole season."
This winter, Contreras has been at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., to date having ridden in 106 races. He has finished in the money 34 times (16 wins, second nine times, third nine times) while his horses have earned US$492,039.
The plan is for Contreras to return to Woodbine for the 2023 thoroughbred racing campaign.
"I came to Woodbine in 2009, but it doesn’t seem that long ago," he said. "It has gone by pretty fast.
"I remember coming here and seeing the track for the first time, and how nice it was. I was really happy to start riding here and hopefully I can ride for a long time at Woodbine."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2023.
The Canadian Press
