One Down Two To Go
- HBPA
- Sep 5
- 2 min read
Prince of Wales Stakes Set for Tuesday at Fort Erie
The road to the Canadian Triple Crown continues this Tuesday, September 9, at historic Fort Erie Race Track, where the 90th running of the Prince of Wales Stakes will take center stage. The second jewel of the Triple Crown is one of the most anticipated events on the Canadian racing calendar, offering a $400,000 purse for Canadian-bred three-year-olds over 1 3/16 miles on dirt.
King’s Plate Winner Headlines the Field
This year’s race is headlined by Mansetti, fresh off his victory in the King’s Plate at Woodbine. Trained by Kevin Attard and ridden by young talent Pietro Moran, Mansetti will attempt to keep his Triple Crown hopes alive with a win on Fort Erie’s famed “border oval.”
Mansetti is campaigned by father-and-son owners Al and Bill Ulwelling, who are no strangers to success in this race. The Ulwellings also have entries with stablemate Faber, adding even more intrigue to the seven-horse lineup. Post time for the Prince of Wales is set for 5:35 p.m. ET, with fans eager to see how the Plate winner handles the switch from Woodbine’s Tapeta to Fort Erie’s traditional dirt surface.
A Race Steeped in Tradition
First run in 1929, the Prince of Wales Stakes has been held at Fort Erie since the late 1950s and has long been considered one of the jewels of Canadian racing. In 1959, New Providence became the first horse to sweep the newly recognized Canadian Triple Crown after taking the King’s Plate, Prince of Wales, and Breeders’ Stakes.
Since then, just six other horses have completed the sweep, including the undefeated filly Dance Smartly in 1991. The Prince of Wales has also been the stage for unforgettable upsets, such as Benburb’s shocking 1992 victory over heavy favorite Alydeed in the slop—a result still talked about today.
Record-setting performances are also part of the race’s lore. Bruce’s Mill holds the fastest time at the current distance, stopping the clock in 1:53.80 back in 1994. Legendary jockeys, trainers, and owners have all made their mark on the race, with names like Hugo Dittfach, Gordon McCann, and E.P. Taylor deeply woven into its history.
Fort Erie’s Role in the Triple Crown
Known as one of the most picturesque racetracks in North America, Fort Erie has been hosting live racing since 1897. Its place in the Triple Crown makes it a must-visit destination each season, with fans flocking from across Ontario and beyond to watch Canada’s top three-year-olds battle for glory.
What’s at Stake
For Mansetti and his connections, victory on Tuesday would mean more than just another stakes win—it would keep alive the dream of becoming the next Canadian Triple Crown champion. With a talented field lined up, however, nothing is guaranteed, and the Prince of Wales Stakes once again promises the kind of drama and excitement that only horse racing can deliver.
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