Large field likely for Breeders' Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – As many as 11 horses are being considered for Sunday’s $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes, the third jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, which covers 1 1/2 miles on Woodbine’s turf course. Entries will be taken Thursday, and the leading contenders include Breaking Lucky, who scored a 13-1 upset in the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, on dirt at Fort Erie on July 28.

Trainer Reade Baker said Breaking Lucky has come out of the Prince of Wales in good order and has been training well for the Breeders’ Stakes. Breaking Lucky finished his preparation for the race with a five-furlong work in 1:03.00 on Woodbine’s dirt training track Sunday. Baker said he has no concerns about how Breaking Lucky will handle turf for the first time.

Also expected to run in the Breeders’ Stakes is Queen’s Plate runner-up Danish Dynaformer and third-place finisher Conquest Boogaloo. Danish Dynaformer, who is 2 for 3 on turf, was sixth in the Prince of Wales, while Conquest Boogaloo will be trying grass for the first time and comes into the Breeders’ Stakes off a fifth-place finish in the Prince of Wales.

Breaking Lucky, Danish Dynaformer, and Conquest Boogaloo will be the only horses to compete in all three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown this year, as Queen’s Plate winner Shaman Ghost will not run in the Breeders’ Stakes. Trainer Brian Lynch said Sunday that Shaman Ghost’s next start had yet to be determined.

Along with Conquest Boogaloo, trainer Mark Casse said he also will enter Prince of Wales Stakes third-place finisher Field of Courage in the Breeders’ Stakes. Other probables include Charlie Barley Stakes winner Samuel Dechamplain, Toronto Cup Stakes runner-up Lucky Lindy, and Ault. Four other horses are possible for the race: Deputy Minister Stakes winner Kingsport, Portree, Olympic Bid, and Pat Daddy.