Racing Corner

Racing Corner – BY JENNIFER MORRISON

PRINCE OF WALES

It was a stretch battle to remember. King's Plate winner Mansetti appeared to have enough left to win the 90th Prince of Wales Stakes, the marquee race of the Fort Erie season.

In front of a large crowd, Mansetti and jockey Pietro Moran were challenged late by the lightly raced Runaway Again and rider Ryan Munger. Trained by Sid Attard, Runaway Again was well back of Mansetti, trained by Sid's nephew Kevin, in the Plate but on the dirt at Fort Erie, Runaway Again nabbed Mansetti, owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling, by half a length.

The time was 1:55.64. As an 8-to-1 longshot, Runaway Again paid $18.50 to win. Faber, also owned by the Ulwellings and trainer by Kevin, was three lengths back in third.

It was the first Canadian classic win for trainer Attard as well as for Munger, who joined the Woodbine riding colony in 2023 after moving from South Africa. With agent Mike Luider, Munger has quickly become a leading rider at Woodbine.

For Sid Attard, the Prince of Wales was his 101st stakes win, according to Equibase, from a career that began in 1977.

“He came into this race feeling good, very sharp,” said Attard.

Congratulations to Runaway Again, Stronach Stables, Sid Attard and Ryan Munger!

HANDICAPPING WOODBINE'S TURF CHAMPIONS DAY

Horses, owners and trainers have arrived from all over to compete in Woodbine's series of 'Win and You're In' turf stakes races on Saturday, September 13. The Grade 1 Rogers Woodbine Mile, bet365 Summer Stakes and Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes headlines the best racing card of the season, which includes the Grade 3 Ontario Matron and Branded Cities Vigil Stakes.

Good luck to our local horsepeople!

The trio of Grade 1's offer big purses and a free berth to the coinciding Breeders' Cup World Championship races for each winner.

For fans, there is a $5 TURF CHAMPION'S Pick 3 wager on all three big races plus a fascinating GLOBAL GRADE 1 Pick 5, a 20-cent base bet, that begins Saturday morning with two races from overseas.

Global Grade 1 Pick 5 Wager (20 cents)

St. Leger Stakes (G1) - Doncaster (UK)

Irish Champions Stakes (G1) – Leopardstown (IRE)

bet365 Summer Stakes (G1) - Woodbine ​

Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes (G1) - Woodbine

Rogers Woodbine Mile (G1) - Woodbine ​

Keys to the Woodbine Grade 1's – Inner Turf,  Posts, Euros

These races this year will be run on the inner turf course, which opened in 2019 and has been used as another option for horsepeople, in particular for sprint races and smaller stakes events.

With the E.P. Taylor turf under renovation until next year, the tighter inner course will present a challenge to overseas horses who are accustomed to racing on straightaways or very gradual courses.

And post positions could play a role in the outcome of the 2-year-old races, the Summer and Natalma, which drew 12 and 10 entrants.

Speaking of overseas shippers, one of Woodbine's biggest fans, trainer Charlie Appleby, is back with a Godolphin starter in each of the Grade 1 races. Appleby has won 9 of 17 stakes races he has raced horses in at Woodbine. However, in a rarity, last year Appleby was shut out with his Summer, Natalma and Mile starters (another Euro-invader, New Century won the Summer).

Here are some selections for the Turf Champion Pick 3 and Global Grade 1 Pick 5:

SUMMER STAKES (G1), Race 6, Woodbine Saturday

#1 – ARGOS. Kentucky invader is by the same sire (Nyquist) as 2020 Summer Stakes winner, the famous GRETZKY THE GREAT. Trainer Riley Mott send this colt up for the Soaring Free Stakes andhe was a solid third without much speed to chase. He should love the longer distance.

#5 – TWO OUT HERO is unbeaten in 2 races for Woodbine trainer Kevin Attard, he won the Soaring Free.

#4 – THESECRETADVERSARY (Ire) won the Churchill Stakes in Ireland last month. He is from the first crop of the exciting young sire St. Mark's Basilica. This is the second horse sent to Canada for trainer Fozzy Stack who has won 3 of 6 races with U.S. starters.

#10 – WILD DESERT (Ire). Not to be confused with the infamous Queen's Plate winner from years ago. This guy had much trouble in a Group 2 at Newmarket in July for Appleby. He is impeccably bred.

NATALMA STAKES (G1), Race 8

#10 DEEP LEARNING. This Chad Brown trainee was ultra impressive winning her career debut around two turns at Saratoga, albeit with a perfect rail trip. Jockey Flavien Prat must work his way in from this wide post.

#8 DYNA closed ground well in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes and should like the longer distance.

#5 DANCE TO THE MUSIC (GB) is the Appleby invader and she is unbeaten in two sprints.

WOODBINE MILE (G1), Race 9

#3 ONE STRIPE (SAF) is already in the Breeders' Cup Mile thanks to his King's Plate win in South Africa in the winter. He makes his first start since March for new trainer Graham Motion.

#2 – NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) has won two Group 1's including the Sussex Stakes. No wins this year but should have won his latest, the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1), for Godolphin and Appleby.

#6 MY BOY PRINCE, an Ontario bred champion, could be the key to the Mile as he might be the lone speed runner.

For the GLOBAL GRADE 1 PICK 5 races, the St. Leger could be dominated once again by horses trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Use #1 Carmers and two O'Brien runners, #3 Lambourn and #5 Scandinavia.

The second leg of the Global Grade 1 Pick 5 is the Irish Champion Stakes and #1 ANMAAT appears to be all set for a peak effort, and #5 DELACROIX is back in Group 1 form.

Good luck!