Undefeated Hollinger is early 5-2 favourite for the 151st Queen's Plate

TORONTO - Undefeated three-year-old Hollinger has been made the early 5-2 favourite for the Queen's Plate.

The 151st edition of the thoroughbred race is scheduled for July 4 at Woodbine in Toronto.

The so-called Winterbook's second choice is Sam-Son Farm's Hotep, brother to last year's Queen's Plate winner Eye of the Leopard.

Eye of the Leopard rallied to defeat Mr. Foricos Two U and Milwaukee Appeal in the $1-million race last year. The son of A.P. Indy was 40-1 in the Winterbook.

Hollinger was voted Canada's champion two-year-old male last year after improving his record to 4-0 with a win in the Coronation Futurity in October.

The grey gelding is trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, who shares the record for Plate winners by a trainer at eight with Harold Giddings Jr.

Hollinger is currently training at Payson Park in Florida.

Hollinger is owned by Bob Harvey and Al Wortzman, who also bred the son of Black Minnaloushe. Tyler Pizarro has been aboard Hollinger in all four starts.

Rounding out the top-five list are Display Stakes runner-up Giant's Tomb (5-1), who is also a Sam-Son homebred, multiple stakes-winner Ghost Fleet (6-1) and D's Wando (8-1), who closed fast to finish third in the Coronation Futurity.

The 86th edition of the Winterbook, compiled by Adam Hickman of Woodbine's Racing Communications department, offers early odds on all 100 three-year-olds, 96 colts and geldings, as well as four fillies, nominated to the 2009 Canadian Triple Crown.

-

Top 10 Winterbook Favourites

Hollinger - 5-2

Hotep - 7-2

Giant's Tomb - 5-1

Ghost Fleet - 6-1

D's Wando - 8-1

Roan Inish - 10-1 (filly)

Stormy Lord - 10-1

Resentless - 12-1 (filly)

Mobil Unit - 12-1

Big Red Mike - 12-1