Queen's Plate 2016: Post Time, Post Positions, Schedule and More

Canadian horse racing fans are gearing up for the 157th running of the Queen's Plate, the nation's oldest and most prestigious race for thoroughbreds.

The Queen's Plate is only open to three-year-olds who were foaled in Canada and has been run continuously since 1860, making it the oldest race in North America. Amis Gizmo and Leavem in Malibu are the favourites to win this year's title following the post draw.

Here's a look at the post positions:

Post	Runner
1	Mike
2	Narrow Escape
3	All On Red
4	Leavem in Malibu
5	Sir Dudley Digges
6	Shakhimat
7	My Name Is Jim
8	Rocket Plan
9	Cheburashka
10	Amis Gizmo
11	Esposito
12	Scholar Athlete
13	Gamble's Ghost

Key Race Details

Event: 157th running

Date: Sunday, July 3

Horse Type: Three-year-olds foaled in Canada

Time: Approximately 5:38 p.m. ET

Distance: One mile and two furlongs (1 ¼ mile)

Location: Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto, Canada

Preview

Amis Gizmo, who has been beaten only once in his racing career, is the favourite out of the 13 contenders for this year's Queen's Plate.

As reported by Daily Racing Form's Ron Gierkink, trainer Josie Carroll is more than happy with the Post 10 draw, and Gamble’s Ghost's outside draw shouldn't be an issue, either:

"

I think post 10 is fine. He’s a very tactical horse. He’s very easy to place. From that vantage point, Luis will be able to do what he wants with him.

[…] She’s a filly that doesn’t have a lot of speed anyway. She’s a deep closer. There’s a long run into that first turn, and there’s plenty of time to tuck in and get position.

"

Gamble's Ghost, the lone filly in the field, will be ridden by a new jockey in the form of Patrick Husbands.

She has also been handed good odds ahead of Sunday's race, although the raw pace of some of the top contenders means Gamble's Ghost may find herself too far back going into the final furlongs.

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

Leavem in Malibu will start fairly close to the rail, and the colt has shown some flashes of brilliance recently. He didn't start his first race until April this year but placed third on his debut, and he grabbed his maiden win in May.

As you can see in this video, courtesy of Woodbinesvideos, he has an effortless stride and seems to hold his speed well:

Trainer Roger Attfield could set a new Queen's Plate record with Shakhimat, drawn in Post 6.

Attfield already has eight wins in the iconic race under his belt, and in last year's Coronation Futurity winner Shakhimat, he has another special talent to work with.

Per Kate Pettersen of TSN 1050, his jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson has found success at Woodbine Racetrack before:

Shakhimat would become the first horse to win the Coronation and Queen's Stakes in 40 years, since Norcliffe did it in 1975 and 1976. Norcliffe was also trained by Attfield.

Plate Trial winner Amis Gizmo remains the favourite, however. He's a superb finisher who always seems to be in the right place entering the turn, and five wins from six races is nothing to scoff at.