Panamanian import Golden Moka upsets Prince of Wales

Golden Moka, a Panamanian import making his first start in North America, sprung a stunning 10-1 upset in the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie on Sunday.

Ridden by the locally based Anthony Stephen, Golden Moka was prominent throughout the 1 3/16-mile Prince of Wales and went on to score by 2 3/4 lengths over Mobil Unit in 1:56.45. Queen's Plate winner Big Red Mike finished third.

Golden Moka dueled for the lead around the clubhouse turn and into the backstretch with Mobil Unit and Big Red Mike.

"When he came out of the gate I had to ask him to go," said Stephen. "I had to slap him a couple of times; he was so relaxed."

Mobil Unit continued to battle with Golden Moka into the stretch before giving way in the final furlong.

Eurico Rosa da Silva took Big Red Mike back off the speed duel, and they never were able to catch back up to the top two. Big Red Mike ended a length back of Mobile Unit in third as the 4-5 favorite.

"I took him back because I felt I was asking him too much already," said Da Silva. "I was in a great spot, but it just was not his day today."

Hotep, Mobthewarrior, Captain Canuck and Who We Gunna call rounded out the order of finish in the field of seven Canadian-bred 3-year-olds.

Trained by Brian Lynch, Golden Moka earned $300,000 while remaining undefeated in four starts, and returned $22.70.

The colt had banked a total of $12,135 in his first three victories, which came in Panama last year.

*Drunken Love won the the $50,000 Daryl Wells Sr. Memorial for the second year in a row, running the five furlongs in a swift 56.64.

Gerry Olguin rode Drunken Love in the Wells Memorial, which was run over the dirt after being originally scheduled for turf.

Trained by Norm McKnight, Drunken Love returned $4.30 as the favorite in the field of five Canadian-bred older horses, with Legal Move ending second and Shoteka third.

*Authenicat prevailed by a nose in a stretch duel with Crimson Glory to capture the $50,000 Ernie Samuel Memorial.

Crimson Glory ended 2 3/4 lengths before Bent Attorney, the odds-on favorite in the field of seven Canadian-bred 3-year-old fillies.

Trained by Josie Carroll, Authenicat returned $7 as the second choice.

Final time for the five furlongs was 56.95.