Prince of Wales Stakes wagering hits record

While hopes for a Triple Crown winner were dashed Tuesday (Sept. 12), there was still a lot to celebrate at the Fort Erie Race Track.

Kicking up mud and slop after a rain-soaked afternoon, Velocitor and jockey Justin Stein won the second leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown. It was Stein’s second Prince of Wales title win in a row.

“Déjà vu,” said Stein after the win. “It feels awesome to do it again. Winning the Prince of Wales two years in a row is very, very special, and something I’ll always remember.”

Hopes were high for odds-on favourite Paramount Prince, who won the King’s Plate last month. However, after jumping out to an early lead, Velocitor caught up and had a strong ride down the stretch. Paramount Prince ended up finishing third, behind Velocitor and Kaukokaipuu.

“I sent him out there and made sure we were right in touch with Paramount Prince; that way, I had options,” said Stein. “He’s got a really high cruising speed.”

Despite the weather, total wagering topped $3.48 million, while the Prince of Wales Stakes managed to hit a shade over $1 million, smashing the previous record of $635,000.

Velocitor improved on his fourth-place finish at the King’s Plate. He’s trained by Kevin Attard for owners Al and Bill Ulwelling.

This year’s Prince of Wales Stakes featured the largest field in two decades with 11 horses racing.

Other races on the day saw One Bay Hemingway and jockey Luis Contreras win in a photo finish in the Lake Erie Stakes for trainer Sid Attard and owner Norseman Racing Stable.

Fashionably Fab won the Rondeau Bay Stakes, while Trish the Dish won the Molson Cup and Vinnie Van Go took home the Le Cinquieme Essai Cup.

Racing at the track continues through to Oct. 16. Track-O-Lantern, a Halloween-themed day, is set for Oct. 9. Kids are invited out that day in costume to trick-or-treat around the border oval.