Sebastian's Song has strong work

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Sebastian's Song, who finished 10th here at Woodbine in the June 22 Queen's Plate, breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20 on the training track here Tuesday in preparation for Sunday's $500,000 Prince of Wales at Fort Erie.

The 1 3/16-mile Prince of Wales, which is the second leg of the triple crown for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, was expected to attract a field of eight or nine as of Tuesday morning, with trainer Jim Bond, who is based at Saratoga, still on the fence regarding whether one or both of his pair of Solitaire and Pewter would participate.

Sebastian's Song, who is owned by Centennial Farms and trained by Alec Fehr, had regular rider David Clark in the irons for Tuesday's drill.

"He had another horse in front of him for his pre-work gallop, then broke off with that one and put him away after about 40 yards," said Fehr. "He was strong throughout, and dragged David around there.

"He was much more relaxed than his previous work, when he went by himself."

Sebastian's Song has made all five of his career starts here on Polytrack, winning his maiden over seven furlongs in his debut last October and his seasonal bow in a first-level allowance over 6 1/2 furlongs on April 19.

His best effort in his three most recent starts was a third-place finish in the 1 1/8-mile Plate Trial behind Not Bourbon and Solitaire, who came back to run first and third in the 1 1/4-mile Queen's Plate.

Fehr believes that a different approach could have yielded better results for Sebastian's Song in the Queen's Plate.

"David said we've got to let him run a bit," said Fehr. "He was so hard, on the bridle. It wasn't just the distance that got to him - he got frustrated."

Fehr also believes that Fort Erie's dirt surface should be to Sebastian's Song's liking.

"He worked well on the dirt, when he was with me at Palm Meadows this winter," said Fehr.

Sebastian's Song will be one of the last to arrive at Fort Erie for the Prince of Wales.

"He'll stay here in his stall Saturday night. He's comfortable here," said Fehr. "He might even have a little jog here Saturday morning.

"I think he'll stay more relaxed that way than going down there early."