Trainer Kevin Attard went 0-for-4 in a bid to win the $400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes as 9-1 longshot Vitality cruised to a four-length victory in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown at Fort Erie on Tuesday.
Vitality. Fort Erie Photo.
Stronach colorbearer scores in second leg of Canada’s Triple Crown
Attard’s filly Caitlinhergrtness won the King’s Plate at Woodbine on Aug. 23, the first leg of the Canada-bred series, but was not entered in the 1 3/16-mile race on the dirt.
Attard’s foursome of the filly Airosa, Bedard, Pierre, and Jokestar finished second, third, sixth, and eighth, respectively, in the field of 10 3-year-olds.
Vitality, ridden by Jose Campos, stayed in range of the leaders into the far turn, then was taken six wide entering the top of stretch and proved much the best. Trained by Harold Ladouceur, the 3-year-old gelding owned by Stronach Stables returned $20.10 on a $2 win bet.
Vitality was 0-for-6 before breaking his maiden at Woodbine on July 19. He ran sixth in the King’s Plate but rebounded nicely to improve to 9-2-1-1.
“I camped just behind the pace,” Campos told the Toronto Sun after winning his first Canadian classic. “I put my horse in a good spot and when I asked him to make a run, he responded very well.”
Essex Serpent, the slight favorite at 3.45-1, stalked the early leaders, but faded around the far turn and finished last. Winning time for the race was 1:55.72 over a fast track.
The final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown is the $400,000 Breeders’ Stakes at 1 ½ miles on grass is Sept. 29 at Woodbine.