FORT ERIE, ON – Lawrence Cordes homebred Mighty Heart championed Tuesday’s $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie. Now, the Josie Carroll trainee will attempt to become the eighth horse to complete the Canadian Triple Crown on October 24 in the Breeders’ Stakes, a 1 1/2-mile turf route at Woodbine.
Mighty Heart and jockey Daisuke Fukumoto broke from post 2 as the 4/5 favorite and sat in a mid-pack stalking position until Fukumoto gave him the green light heading into the far turn.
Inching past new leader Clayton at the 1/8 pole, Mighty Heart steadily drew ahead to win the 1 3/16-mile fast dirt route in 1:55.59, outfinishing Clayton by 2 1/2 lengths in the race restricted to Canadian-foaled 3-year-olds.
Dotted Line pressed the early pace before fading to third. Bold Victory, Muskoka Giant, Enchant Me, initial leader Truebelieve, Red Mercury, and Tecumseh’s War completed the order of finish.
Mighty Heart’s win followed his shocking gate-to-wire score in the $1 million Queen’s Plate, the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. The Dramedy colt improved his record to 6-3-0-1 with $688,003 earned.
Mighty Heart returned $3.70 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.20 to show. Clayton brought back $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show, while Dotted Line paid $3.20 to show.
