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Luster put on an absolutely dazzling display in the King’s Plate on Saturday.

The three-year-old filly fully lived up to the hype that sent her off at odds of 1-5, one of the shortest-priced favourites in the 167-year history of the $1-million first leg of Canada’s triple crown. And now everyone can speculate on how good she can still be.

Trainer Josie Carroll once again relied on hall-of-fame jockey John Velazquez to take any lingering doubt away from the race and he did not disappoint. Starting from the rail position, Luster broke a bit more sharply than expected and seemed like she would battle longshot Fire and Wine for the early lead. But as the field of 12 passed the wire for the first time, Velazquez was able to settle Luster back and allow the quick early fractions to develop.

“She broke so well so I wanted to give her at least a sixteenth of a mile,” Velazquez said. “And just before the wire (first time) I was able to get her back and get her to relax.”

There was very little change at the top of the order down the backstretch as Velazquez had allowed his filly to stay unbothered and within four lengths of the lead. Around the turn, Velazquez found an opening to swing Luster outside. With very little movement, he rushed the filly to the lead between horses at the quarter pole. From there, she had a clear path to a 7 1/4-length triumph.

“I didn’t want to put her right behind the leader obviously,” Velazquez said. “So once I put myself in a position, the horse on my outside, I was sure to push him out.”

“Coming to the quarter pole, I asked her to go and I responded really nice.”

Spectacular win in Woodbine Oaks

Luster came into the Plate off a spectacular win in the Woodbine Oaks on July 19. She had captured the Selene Stakes before that. She had also started her career with two wins, one at Woodbine a year ago and a turf score at Keeneland in April.

Velazquez rode Luster at Keeneland and was impressed with her even then.

“I told Josie this was impressive,” he said. “I want to ride (Luster) wherever she goes.

Luster is American-owned by Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen.

“Last year Josie told me we would be standing here,” Rosen said. “She’s quite special and I think Josie knew that right from the get-go.”

Rosen understood the significance of winning Canada’s most prestigious race.

“I’ve been in the business for 40 years and winning a race like this is just fantastic,” he said. “It’s what it’s all about.”

Velazquez a previous race winner

The leading money-winning rider in North American history, Velazquez had won the Plate previously aboard Wonder Gadot in 2018.

Carroll has success winning the Plate too. This was her fourth victory with Luster joining Edenwold, Inglorious and Mighty Heart.

“She was in masterful hands,” Carroll said of Velazquez. “This is a game of patience. You could see he was confident at any point in the race. And that gave me a lot of confidence as well.”

A 22-1 longshot Military Time closed to get the second spot while Fire and Wine, dismissed at 60-1, still ran well to finish third.

It is unknown whether Luster will continue on the Canadian triple crown trail which resumes with the Sept. 7 Prince of Wales Stakes. A run in the U.S. might also be in the cards.