Shillelagh Slew wins Prince of Wales on DQ

FORT ERIE, Ontario - Controversy reigned in the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes here at Fort Erie on Sunday as Malakoff finished first but was disqualified and placed fifth following a stewards' inquiry.

Shillelagh Slew, who had finished 1 1/2 lengths back in second place in the 1 3/16-mile race for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, was awarded the win when Malakoff was demoted after being judged guilty of causing interference in the final furlong under jockey Todd Kabel.

Pipers Thunder, who had finished a length behind Shillelagh Slew, was awarded second money, while Royal Challenger was moved up to third, and Edenwold, who had won the Queen's Plate at Woodbine on June 25, was placed fourth.

Edenwold, racing on the rail, was forced to take up during the chain-reaction incident that led to the disqualification.

Dino Luciani rode Shillelagh Slew, who rallied into serious contention through the far turn and was racing just inside of Malakoff and outside of both Pipers Thunder and Edenwold through the critical stages.

"As soon as Todd went by me, my horse dug back in," said Luciani.

"His horse came in just a little too much, and caused me to steady and take my horse outside. I was in the middle, getting pressure from the outside. It caused a chain reaction.

Kabel said he felt that he had been clear of Shillelagh Slew. "at all times, and that "they were all beat coming into the stretch. The position of the first four horses hardly changed all the way home."

The bottom line was that Shillelagh Slew, a Quebec-bred owned by David James and trained by Mike DePaulo, became a stakes winner.

Fifth in the 1 1/4-mile Queen's Plate, which had been just his second start of the season and followed an eight-week layoff, Shillelagh Slew returned $9.70 as the third choice.

Pipers Thunder, winner of the Plate Trial but a distant sixth in the Plate, also redeemed himself at 14-1.

Royal Challenger was not affected by the late-stretch scrimmage and rallied to finish fourth, beaten a head for third money.

The Prince of Wales was the second jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown. Shillelagh Slew is scheduled to participate in the finale of the series, the $500,000 Breeders' Stakes over 1 1/2 miles on turf at Woodbine on Aug. 6.

Samuel: See the Wind wires

Sunday's supporting feature, the $75,000 Ernie Samuel Memorial Stakes, was much less eventful, as See the Wind led throughout under Kabel to prevail by two lengths as the 9-10 favorite.

Silver Highlight, the 6-5 second choice in the field of six, finished second in the 1 1/16-mile turf race for Canadian-bred fillies and mares.