The esteemed King’s Plate Stakes of 2025, a Canadian counterpart to the renowned Kentucky Derby, showcased Mansetti’s triumph. This competition, exclusively for 3-year-old horses born in Canada, offered a substantial purse of $725,444 (equivalent to $1 million Canadian) and unfolded on August 16 at Woodbine.
Mansetti, owned by Bill and Al Ulwelling, an American father-son duo and steadfast patrons of Canadian horse racing for a decade, carries the name of their cherished Minnesota eatery. Expertly coached by Kevin Attard, who is based at Woodbine, and guided by top jockey Pietro Moran, Mansetti strategically utilized an advantageous inside position, boldly challenging the remaining 12 contenders to overtake him—a feat none could achieve.
Having overtaken early pacesetter Scorching as they approached the initial turn of the 1 1/4-mile Plate following a swift opening quarter in :22.93, Moran skillfully moderated Mansetti’s pace along the backstretch, marking :47.45 for the half-mile and 1:12.48 for six furlongs. With approximately three furlongs remaining, he unleashed Mansetti’s full potential, creating a significant lead. Reaching the mile marker in 1:36.78, Mansetti confidently crossed the finish line, securing a 2 1/2-length victory over the fast-closing Tom’s Magic. Mansetti completed the distance in 2:03.68 on Woodbine’s all-weather Tapeta track.
“He displayed remarkable composure, and I maintained constant communication with him throughout,” noted the 20-year-old Moran. “As I encouraged him around the turn, he responded powerfully. Glancing back down the stretch, I saw no challengers approaching, and I couldn’t contain my excitement until we reached the finish line.”
Despite being the sole graded stakes victor in the lineup, Mansetti defied expectations, rewarding winning bettors with a $38.70 payout.
Prior to the Plate, Mansetti’s stamina over the distance was uncertain, with his longest previous race being at 1 1/16 miles. He had triumphed in the Grade 3 HPIbet Marine Stakes on June 28, defeating Scorching. Attard admitted to initial reservations regarding Mansetti’s ability to handle the classic distance.
“This horse underwent a significant transformation from (age) 2 to 3 upon returning to Woodbine this season to commence his 3-year-old campaign. His demeanor was notably different,” commented Attard, the reigning Sovereign Award-winning trainer, who now celebrates his third Plate victory since 2022.
Favored Notorious Gangster advanced to claim the third position, while Scorching finished fourth.
Both the second and third-place finishers encountered traffic challenges within the tightly packed field, with Tom’s Magic facing an uphill battle, positioned in 12th place after a mile.
No Time, aiming to become the 40th filly to secure victory in the King’s Plate throughout its illustrious 166-year history, faded to ninth after closely trailing the pace between other contenders.
The champion was bred in Ontario, offspring of the Sky Mesa mare Gidget Girl, by Jungle Racing, the equestrian venture of sports radio personality Jim Rome. In 2024, the Ulwellings acquired the colt for $40,000 from Eddie Woods’ consignment at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.
The Canadian Triple Crown persists, continuing with the Prince of Wales Stakes on September 9, covering 1 3/16 miles on dirt at Fort Erie. The series will conclude with the Breeders’ Stakes on September 28, spanning 1 1/2 miles on turf at Woodbine.
