story by Phil McSween for Woodbine

photo by Michael Burns

This story originally appeared here.

Highwaytothemoon passed his inaugural two-turn test in polished fashion to win the $200,000 Plate Trial Stakes on Sunday (July 19) at Woodbine. ​ ​ ​

Ridden by regular pilot Rafael Hernandez, the gelded son of Ransom the Moon broke alertly from post position 6, and settled kindly on the rail in thid position, through an opening quarter mile in :23.33.

Post-time favourite Casson, pressured closely by Powell River raced 1-2 through an opening half mile in :47.84, with 2025 Coronation Futurity winner Fire and Wine pursuing in third and Highwaytothemoon saving good ground in fourth position. ​ ​

Inside the three-furlong marker, 28-1 shot Imyourmedicineman, launched a strong outside move to catapult into contention, as the field of 11 hit the six-panel split in 1:12.32. ​ ​

Turning for home, Hernandez, who guided Highwaytothemoon to victory in the 7-furlong Queenston Stakes on June 7, angled the bay gelding off the rail, splitting Casson and Imyourmedicineman and gamely out gunned the latter to score by one length in the nine-furlong King’s Plate prep for 3-year-olds foaled in Canada.

The one-mile time was 1:38.59. The final running time was 1:52.17. The Plate Trial was delayed for several minutes after Very Special was ruled a late vet scratch, resulting in riders having to dismount and reset.

“[Highwaytothemoon has] done everything we’ve asked,” said winning trainer Dale Desruisseaux, who lauded his pupil’s pre-race composure and versatility. ​ ​

“His mind is so good. You could see him. He wasn’t washed out at all. He was cool and calm and he showed that in the race.” ​

“He went from 5/8ths, now a mile and 1/8th, great” ​ ​

Hernandez, who has now ridden Highwaytothemoon in six of his seven career starts, including the Queenston win, noted the quality of his charge’s morning drills, including a bullet 5 panel move on June 27th in :57.80, best of 21 workers that day. ​ ​ ​

“Last couple of works, Dale said, ‘Raffy, he’s gonna run good,’ so I know he’s been working good and it show up today. He showed me a big heart, he don’t give up. He was on the bridle when I asked him to go, he was there already. When I put him in gear, he gave me everything he had.” ​

Owned by Centennial Farms Inc., Highwaytothemoon was making his fourth start as a sophomore after a runner up finish in the seveb-furlong King Corrie Stakes followed by a 1  1/4 length win in the seven-panel Queenston Stakes. ​ ​

Bred in Ontario by James Everatt, Janeane Everatt & Arika Everatt-Meeuse, Highwaytothemoon (Ransom the Moon – High Society Gal, by Society’s Chairman) improved to 4-1-1 from seven career starts and 3-1-0 from four starts in 2026. ​ ​

Highwaytothemoon was listed at 6-1 on the morning line, went postward at 4-1 and paid $10.30 for his second consecutive stakes win. ​ ​ ​

Imyourmedicineman finished second, second choice Military Time rallied for third, while favourite Casson rounded out the superfecta.

The 167th running of Canada’s signature 10-furlong classic, the King’s Plate, is scheduled for Saturday Aug. 15.