Duke of Love Race Recap

Duke of Love ran a very respectable fourth today in the $125,000 Queenston Stakes at Woodbine, finishing just 1 1/2 lengths behind a good-looking winner in The Minkster, who is now undefeated in three career starts. Not much separated the top four finishers at the wire in this salty seven-horse field.

Our colt, piloted by Justin Stein who was aboard for his two career wins, was perfectly placed in the early stages of the seven-furlong Tapeta race, just behind the early leaders, who rattled off fractions of 22.54 for the opening quarter mile and 45.16 for the half. Moving from fourth to third leaving the backstretch, Duke set his sights on The Minkster, who had the lead turning for home and posted a snappy six-furlong time of 1:08.49. The eventual winner would not give in, though, and Duke of Love didn’t quite punch on like he had in his previous wins, and in the final yards was passed late to lose out on third place.

Trainer Josie Carroll was not displeased with the effort, remarking Duke was beaten just 1 1/4 lengths for second. She noted he was a bit more tired after this race, but was happy to see improvement from him in correctly switching leads, which is an important step for the 3-year-old. She is considering adding a small shadow roll — a piece of equipment that partially restricts a horse’s vision, and helps them to concentrate on what is in front of them — to the noseband of his bridle next time because he is continuing to carry his head high. Depending upon what the Woodbine condition book offers, the trainer will consider a two-turn allowance race for the colt in advance of a start in the Plate Trial Stakes on July 24. It is Josie’s belief that Duke of Love will prove to be a better horse around two turns.

In the coming days we will report back with how Duke exited his race.