Multiple medalists in swimming Penny Oleksiak and Kayla Sanchez are revealed to be a part of the CA$1 million Queen’s Plate event this week. Woodbine Entertainment revealed that both athletes will be joining the event’s team as celebrity ambassadors ahead of the exciting weekend of live harness racing in Ontario.
The Queen’s Place is the oldest Thoroughbred racing event in Canada and it generates huge interest in the industry. This year the stakes will feature purses of CA$1,000,000 up for grabs for all participants. Additionally, the race accumulates plenty of betting volume as for fans of the sports this is one of the most anticipated and exciting events of the racing season.
Guest Stars Revealed
This week, the CEO and President of Woodbine Entertainment, Jim Lawson revealed that swimming medalists Penny Oleksiak and Kayla Sanchez will be joining the Queen’s Plate program. Mr. Lawson stated that the company is extremely proud to have both of them on board and of their performances during this summer’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
The CEO continued by saying that the horse racing leader is excited to have Ms. Oleksiak and Ms. Sanchez as a part of The Queen’s Place traditions. According to him, this way the company can also demonstrate its gratitude and pride for them and all of Canada’s Olympic athletes that have competed fiercely for the country’s national flag.
On Wednesday, August 18, Ms. Sanchez will be the celebrity draw master when post positions are handed out to all participants for the CA$1,000,000 event. She is the country’s most decorated sportsperson as she acquired three medals this summer in Tokyo, and on Sunday the swimming athlete will perform in the ceremonial call of ‘rider’s up!’
The highly-anticipated The Queen’s Plate with CA$1 million in purses is scheduled to officially begin the upcoming Sunday. According to Woodbine Entertainment, the event’s breakfast will be hosted by Jason Portuondo. In addition to that, festivities are set to begin at 10 a.m. ET. Fans of the sports can watch the event live or enjoy the live stream available on Woodbine.com.
Good News
In a previous media statement, President and CEO Lawson stated that fans have all the right to get excited about this year’s edition of The Queen’s Plate. According to him, for the first time since 2011, the event could have a full field of 17 starters. 2021 Woodbine Oaks winner Munnyfor Ro is one of the crowd’s favorites to emerge victorious this year.
Fans Return
This year’s The Queen’s Plate will be even more as exciting as it will be the first edition in a few years with a live crowd. At the end of this June, Woodbine Entertainment informed that Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park will welcome back in-person spectators. And at the time, both tracks operated with a 25% capacity in accordance with Ontario’s Stage 2 of the reopening plan.
Source: “Olympians Named Queen’s Plate Ambassadors”, Thoroughbred Daily News, August 16, 2021
