Will a filly prevail in Saturday’s $1 million King’s Plate Stakes at Woodbine? It’s well within the realm of possibility.

Contested at a distance of 1 1/4 miles on Woodbine’s all-weather Tapeta Footings surface, the King’s Plate is restricted to 3-year-old Thoroughbreds bred in Canada, and it’s Canada’s equivalent to the Kentucky Derby. But whereas only three fillies have won the Kentucky Derby, the King’s Plate has been won by fillies on 39 occasions, including six times since 2011.

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#1 Luster (even-money morning-line odds) can add her name to the list of female King’s Plate winners. She’s won four of her five starts so far for trainer Josie Carroll, who has conditioned three previous King’s Plate winners, including in 2006 when she became the first woman to train a King’s Plate winner with Edenwold.

Luster has been in strong form at Woodbine this summer. She won the Grade 3 Selene Stakes at 1 1/16 miles with a sharp finish from a few lengths off the pace. Next, in the 1 1/8-mile Woodbine Oaks Presented by Stella Artois, she stayed within 1 1/2 lengths of the early lead before taking over and pulling away easily to win by 5 1/2 lengths.

With her potent combination of tactical speed and finishing power, Luster should have every chance to work out a winning trip in the King’s Plate. It helps that she’ll be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, who guided the filly Wonder Gadot to win this race in 2018.

If Luster starts at even-money odds and finishes first, horseplayers who bet Luster to win will double their money. That’s not a bad return on investment for a formidable favorite, but bettors seeking a bigger payoff may instead choose to chase the trifecta, which requires selecting the top three finishers in order.

Obvious contenders to finish in the top three include Grade 3 Marine Stakes 1-2 finishers #9 Brachetto (5-1) and #7 Magical Factor (10-1), Woodbine Oaks runner-up #5 Dixie Law (10-1), and Plate Trial Stakes winner #8 Highwaytothemoon (6-1). But don’t underestimate #10 Very Special (30-1) and #11 Bond Market (30-1) as live longshots.

Very Special exits a third-place finish in a 1 1/8-mile maiden special weight at Woodbine. He was beaten by only 1 1/2 lengths by Coburg, who returned to dominate a 1 1/4-mile allowance-optional claimer by 7 1/4 lengths.

Bond Market debuted in a one-mile maiden special weight race on turf at Woodbine and rallied from midfield to score by 1 1/2 lengths. He’s eligible to step forward while switching to the all-weather main track and stretching out to 1 1/4 miles for his second start.

Wagering Strategy on a $10 Budget

$10 to win on #1 Luster

What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 10, $10 to win on 1

Wagering Strategy on a $30 Budget

$1 trifecta: 1 with 5,8,9 with 5,7,8,9,10,11 (total cost: $15)

What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 10, $1 trifecta 1 with 5,8,9 with 5,7,8,9,10,11

$1 trifecta: 1 with 5,7,8,9,10,11 with 5,8,9 (total cost: $15)

What to say at the betting window: Woodbine, Race 10, $1 trifecta 1 with 5,7,8,9,10,11 with 5,8,9

Good luck, and enjoy the race!