Pace the big question for Tower of Texas in King Edward Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Tower of Texas will look to win Saturday’s Grade 2, $175,000 King Edward Stakes over one mile on turf for the second time in his career as part of the Queen’s Plate undercard Saturday at Woodbine.

It will be Tower of Texas’s fourth consecutive start in the King Edward Stakes. He won the race in 2015 and has run third in the last two editions.

This time around, Tower of Texas comes off of a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup Stakes here June 2. Tower of Texas closed wide from last into quick fractions, but came up just short to Caribou Club in the seven-furlong sprint on turf.

“It was a good race,” trainer Roger Attfield said. “He’s always subject to pace.”

:: Get bonus PPs and watch Saturday's Queen's Plate card at Woodbine live

Tower of Texas ran some strong races through his winter campaign and could be set for a big effort in the King Edward Stakes. Following his victory in the Labeeb Stakes over yielding turf here last November, Tower of Texas finished third to stablemate Shakhimat in the Grade 3 Tropical Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park before going on to win the Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap at Fair Grounds. He ran third in a rare dirt start in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope at Gulfstream in February before running eighth against Grade 1 company in the Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland in April ahead of his Connaught Cup start.

Attfield also has Shakhimat in the King Edward Stakes. Shakhimat will be looking to rebound following three consecutive off-the-board finishes over the winter.

“There’s no reason for him not to go in there, but he’s got to start showing me something,” Attfield said. “I think he has his own mind about things. He’s subject to the way the race is run, too.”

Key Contenders

Tower of Texas, by Street Sense

Last 3 Beyers: 97-96-97

◗ He would prefer some speed to run at, but could still be dangerous in the late stages of the race even if the pace is slow. Jockey Eurico Da Silva will need to keep Tower of Texas in range to avoid giving the 7-year-old too much to do in the stretch.

Delta Prince, by Street Cry

Last 3 Beyers: 99-98-97

◗ He’ll make his first start since his third-place finish in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga last September. He appears to be training well and will be looking to record his first graded stakes victory.

Conquest Panthera, by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 97-98-94

◗ He captured the Grade 2 Play the King Stakes over seven furlongs on this turf course last August and was third in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup on June 2.

Caribou Club, by City Zip

Last 3 Beyers: 101-94-80

◗ He’s won four of his last five starts and recorded his first graded stakes win in the Connaught Cup last time out. He had a ground-saving trip stalking the pacesetters in the Connaught Cup before splitting horses to get the lead in the stretch.