Field of eight likely for Prince of Wales Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Nominations for the 81st running of the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes closed July 12, and a field of eight looks likely for the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown on dirt next Tuesday at Fort Erie.

The nominations include the top three finishers from the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine on July 3: Sir Dudley Digges, Amis Gizmo, and All On Red.

Sir Dudley Digges returned to Kentucky with trainer Mike Maker following his win in the Queen’s Plate and will ship to Fort Erie for the race.

Queen’s Plate runner-up Amis Gizmo returned to the work tab July 13, covering four furlongs on the Tapeta in 49.20 seconds. Amis Gizmo had trained on dirt for trainer Josie Carroll over the winter at Palm Meadows in Florida.

All On Red won his maiden on dirt with a 90 Beyer Speed Figure at Aqueduct on April 24 for trainer Sid Attard.

Two other Queen’s Plate starters are nominated to the Prince of Wales: sixth-place finisher Leavem in Malibu and 10th-place finisher Narrow Escape. Trainer Mark Casse said Leavem in Malibu has trained on dirt in the past, while Narrow Escape would be looking to give trainer Justin Nixon his second Prince of Wales Stakes victory, following Coltimus Prime in 2014.

New shooters to the Canadian Triple Crown would be Niigon’s Edge, Leo From Heaven, and Battery.

Niigon’s Edge suffered a setback after a strong third-place finish to Azar in an allowance race on dirt at Gulfstream Park in February and was forced off the Queen’s Plate trail. Niigon’s Edge returned from a layoff July 3 at Woodbine and finished third in a first-level allowance route; trainer Stu Simon said he needed the race ahead of the Prince of Wales.

Leo From Heaven finished third in an allowance on turf at Woodbine on June 26. Trainer Mark Frostad said Leo From Heaven has trained well on dirt in the past.

Battery would be returning to dirt after a distant sixth-place finish in the Plate Trial Stakes on Tapeta on June 12. He’s recorded three breezes on dirt at Saratoga since the Plate Trial.

Entries for the Prince of Wales Stakes and a post-position draw will take place Friday.