The Road to the Queen's Plate, 2011 Version!

Inglorious wins the Oaks

Oaks day is one of those 'must' trips to the track for me. With the Plate Trial on the undercard, it's become a Queen's Plate preview. In Canada it's not unusual to see fillies in the Plate, and we've had such strong Oaks winners in recent years, some of the girls have been showing up to give the boys a run for the money on the big day.

Check Your Soul, easy Plate Trial victor

In fact, winterbook favourite for the Plate this year is a filly. Inglorious didn't disappoint her supporters in the Oaks yesterday, winning easily, and I suspect there's a good chance we'll see her in the Plate. The Trial winner was Check Your Soul, and he was very impressive, galloping away effortlessly from the rest of the field under an, ahem, one-hand ride. I love his sire, Perfect Soul, so it's wasn't hard for me to like this guy!

Meanwhile, back on the farm, the little ones continue to grow, and we continue to dream about their futures. You never know!

Polly wanna win the Oaks? ;-)

A Busy Barnyard - I Mean, Studio!

I had two paintings on the go today - one of which I finished. Being Wednesday, I completed the next painting of Jubie's baby (who you'll hear me calling Jubaby for reference only!). You had a little preview of my reference shot last week, and above is the resulting 6 x 8 oil on Raphael linen panel.

My other painting is also a small one - 5 x 7 - and also a baby, but a different species. I'm painting a little Galloway calf. He's not finished yet, so you'll have to wait a while to see him.

Sunday was a big day at Woodbine - both the Canadian Oaks and Plate Trial Stakes. It's just about time for me to do some Plate Preview paintings, so I went to get some pics for that. Looks like the fillies may be well represented again this year. I think we're due a filly winning the Plate!

Roan Inish out-games Moment of Majesty to take the Oaks.

Racehorse 101

I didn't make it to the races this past Sunday to see the Canadian Oaks - sorry, the Woodbine Oaks, as it's now known - but from this big filly race, a couple of new Queen's Plate contenders have emerged. Unlike the Derby, it's not unusual for a filly to run in the Plate. Even back in the days when the Oaks was a mere week before the Plate, fillies would run in both, and on more than one occasion, they beat the boys. But hey, girls don't take a back seat to the guys at Woodbine, ever!

Today's painting on my little 30 day journey is a two-year-old. It's a year with a lot of question marks - not all two-year olds make it to the races, but it's good when they at least get to spend some time at the track, and learn what it's about. Some of you might recognize today's "model" from photos I posted a few weeks ago. This is our little Peaker - not so little anymore! Miss Peaks spent the winter in Florida, lucky girl, and came back to Woodbine with the rest of the horses in the spring. She's coming home tomorrow, though, for a rest. It might be interesting to see who is more spoiled, her or Gracie! Remember, chestnut fillies rule! At least in this barn.

This painting is 5 x 7 oil on panel and I intentionally stopped before I really wanted to, because I was starting to get more blending than I wanted. I see lots wrong with it, but I also see a lot I like. One day it will all come together! Hopefully one day before I die!!