Delta Prince Crowned in G2 King Edward

TORONTO, ON – Stronach Stables’ homebred Delta Prince rewarded his connections’ patience with a tremendous winning effort in Saturday’s Grade 2, $175,000 King Edward Stakes at Woodbine.

Breaking well from post 8 as the 2-1 favorite under Javier Castellano, Delta Prince soon took back slightly in order to save ground in mid-pack while Shakhimat posted initial splits of :23.11, :45.80, and 1:08.16. Tipping off rail as he exited the far turn, Delta Prince began advancing strongly in the stretch and collared the leader at the 1/8 pole. Though Shakhimat did his best to dig in and fight back, he proved no match for the Jimmy Jerkens trainee. Delta Prince continued on through the wire to win the mile-long turf event by 1 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:32.35.

“I like the way he did it today,” said Castellano, who rode Delta Prince for the first time. “It was very impressive, the way he did it.”

Shakhimat gave it everything he had, which was just enough to outlast Conquest Panthera by a neck for second. Caribou Club stalked the leader early but flattened out in the stretch and took fourth, while First Premio headed Tower of Texas for fifth. Ring Weekend and Hollywood Hideaway completed the order of finish.

Delta Prince’s win was his first in a graded event and cae in his first start since finishing third in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Stakes at Saratoga last September. The 5-year-old son of Street Cry improved his career record to 8-4-2-2 with earnings of $263,626. Though his time away was concerning, Frank Stronach was pleased with Delta Prince’s effort.

“We had a few problems, but Jimmy Jerkens has always been really high on him,” said Stronach, who also owns his breeder, Adena Springs. “I think the (Grade 1) Woodbine Mile would suit him.”

Delta Prince returned $6.30 to win, $4.30 to place, and $3.30 to show. Shakhimat brought back $16.80 to place and $8.90 to show, while Conquest Panthera paid $4.20 to show.