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TORONTO -- Minutes before post positions were drawn for today's 150th Queen's Plate, a Brinks truck was seen leaving the Woodbine grounds.
Good news, that. With an intriguing betting race for the opening jewel of Canada's Triple Crown, better to have an ample supply of cash on hand.
If you have a horse you like, in other words, investment opportunities abound at Woodbine for the biggest racing day of the year.
This year's Plate has a little something for everyone, other than those hoping for a glimpse of anything resembling royalty. The Queen hasn't been to Woodbine since 1997 and, in this historic renewal, the top hat and tails crowd will have to make do with Ontario Lt.-Gov., David Onley.
But it's the horses that are the stars of the show and despite the loss to injury of early standouts Square Eddie and Southdale earlier this spring, the field came together nicely.
Start with a pair of fillies, each of which figure to go off among the three favourites when they are unleashed to run at 5:36 p.m., today. Milwaukee Appeal, a dominating winner of the Woodbine Oaks in her most recent start, is the lukewarm morning-line selection at 3-1.
Not to curse the five-time winner, but in the past 14 editions of the Plate, only one post-time favourite has prevailed, and that was Triple Crown champ Wando in 2003.
"I wasn't shocked at all," trainer Scott Fairlie said of seeing his filly getting horse-to-beat status. "I felt myself that she should have been favoured. Real good fillies can beat the boys.
"At the end of her last race, she was just looking for any other challengers."
With jockey Stewart Elliott -- famed for riding 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champ Smarty Jones -- Milwaukee Appeal will get her challenge from the 12 other Canadian-foaled 3-year-olds.
Start with another filly, Tasty Temptation, who has the country's top trainer-jockey combo of Mark Casse and Patrick Husbands.
Though she was a well-beaten second to Milwaukee Appeal in the Oaks, the other girl had a valid excuse, considering she reared up in the starting gate and gave the rest of the field a head start.
The hunch though, is that the fillies and the rest of the boys will be in big trouble if Eye of the Leopard runs anywhere near his regal pedigree.
The son of A.P. Indy won the Plate Trial in just his third career start and seems poised to make another leap forward today under jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva.
"On his pedigree alone, he would be among the best bred horses in the world," said one Plate trainer.
"If he runs to that pedigree, who's kidding who? The rest of us will be looking at his behind."
Should Eye of the Leopard win, he will add to the considerable accomplishments of his connections, giving trainer Mark Frostad a fourth Plate victory and a fifth for owner, Sam-Son Farm.
If favourites aren't your thing, there are enough longer-priced prospects to ponder. With what might have been the most masterful training job of his career, Roger Attfield won a record-tying eighth Plate last year and has a live shot today with improving Rapid Release (8-1).
"This horse is coming along in leaps and bounds, right now," the hall-of-fame trainer said. "I feel very good about his chances."
Or, how about El Brujo, who has been the heavily bet favourite in each of his past five starts, including the Plate Trial where he sputtered home ninth. There are some legitimate concerns about his ability to handle the gruelling Plate distance, but at odds of 15-1, the price may be right.
"It's definitely going to be a challenge," said trainer Malcolm Pierce, who has the benefit of ace jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson.
"As long as he gets 1 1/4 miles once in his life, I don't care after that."
After all, for those lucky enough to win it, it's a once in a lifetime race.
ROB.LONGLEY@SUNMEDIA.CA