King Edward return spot for Tower of Texas

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Tower of Texas has not raced since finishing seventh in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile last September, and he’ll likely make his return to the races in the Grade 2, $200,000 King Edward Stakes over a mile on turf July 2, trainer Roger Attfield said.

Tower of Texas won last year’s King Edward Stakes by 2 3/4 lengths over Platinum Glory.

Attfield said he had planned on a winter campaign for Tower of Texas that included the Grade 3 Canadian Turf Stakes and the Grade 3 Appleton Stakes at Gulfstream Park, along with the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland, but Tower of Texas injured himself the night before the Canadian Turf in late February.

“He got hurt in his stall before the Canadian Turf, and it’s taken me this long to get him back,” Attfield said.

Tower of Texas got back on the work tab in May and has worked steadily over the past five weeks, including a six-furlong breeze in 1:15.40 on the turf training track June 15. Attfield said he’s been pleased with how Tower of Texas has been training leading up to the King Edward.

“He’s been doing well,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re going to be okay.”

Attfield said he could see Tower of Texas returning for another start in the Woodbine Mile if his summer campaign goes well.

“If he looks like he’s good enough, absolutely,” he said.