Prince of Wales Contenders Get Lost in the Fog

It reads like a Hollywood story line. Matador and East Side, both trained by Mark Casse, worked Monday morning over the Woodbine training track in a thick veil of fog. In fact, the morning air was so dense that the time for the 5 furlong breeze could not be recorded by the Woodbine clockers. “I have no idea what time they got”, said the Queen’s Plate winning trainer, “all I know is that the riders were both pleased.”

Matador, who finished 7th in the Queen’s Plate has had experience racing over a traditional dirt surface. Early this year he finished a game 4th in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa in Florida. Matador is owned by John Oxley who won the Prince of Wales in 2012 with Dixie Strike and 2013 with Uncaptured. Both runners were also trained by Mark Casse.

East Side is new to the Canadian Triple Crown. The gelding comes into the Prince of Wales off a maiden win at Woodbine on the Polytrack. He is owned by Stoneway Farm.

This morning at Woodbine, in much more suitable conditions for the clockers, 2 Prince of Wales contenders had comfortable breezes.

Lions Bay, trained by young conditioner Jamie Attard, worked in 1:01.1 under regular rider Dave Moran. “It was an easy work, we didn’t want to go crazy, just open up his lungs a little bit. He just ran a mile and a quarter in the Queen’s Plate so he is certainly fit.”

The Mike Keogh trainee Ascot Martin also worked this morning on the Woodbine dirt training track. “This was the first time that Jesse Campbell was on him and I’m glad he had a chance to get acquainted since he has such a long stride.” The time for his 5 furlong work was 1:01. Keogh who won the Prince of Wales with the great Wando in 2003 thinks that even though his colt has yet to break his maiden he will be a serious contender to win the Wales. “I think the long stretch at Fort Erie will suit him well.”

The Prince of Wales will run on Tuesday, July 29th at 7:40pm. This is the first year that the race will be covered on live television by TSN in HD. First race post time is scheduled for 4:15pm.

Elissa Blowe
Media & Marketing Manager
1-800-295-3770 ext. 3204
e-mail: femedia@forterieracetrack.ca