Tiz a Slam likely to lead small field for Prince of Wales Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Nominations for the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, closed July 11. Seven were nominated for the 1 3/16-mile dirt race at Fort Erie next Tuesday, including five runners from the $1 million Queen’s Plate at Woodbine on July 2.

Queen’s Plate winner Holy Helena was nominated to the Prince of Wales, but Stronach Stables racing manager Mike Doyle said she is still on target to make her next start in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 19.

“I kept her eligible because we talked about it and decided we should be eligible,” he said. “She’s in New York. She’s going to Saratoga, and she’s most likely going to make her next start in the Alabama.”

The six other nominees are all slated to make the trip to Fort Erie, including Queen’s Plate runner-up Tiz a Slam, who breezed five furlongs on the dirt training track at Woodbine in 1:02.40 on July 12. His owner and breeder, Chiefswood Stables, also will start Aurora Way in the Prince of Wales following his ninth-place finish in the Queen’s Plate.

Trainer Stu Simon said Aurora Way trained well over dirt at Palm Meadows in Florida last winter and at Keeneland in the spring. Simon added that Aurora Way will add Lasix for the Prince of Wales after bleeding in the Queen’s Plate.

The other Queen’s Plate runners pointing to Fort Erie are fifth-place finisher Megagray and eighth-place finisher State of Honor. State of Honor is the most accomplished horse on dirt among the Prince of Wales contenders after his winter campaign in Florida. He placed in three graded stakes in Florida, including the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, where he finished second to eventual Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming.

New to the Canadian Triple Crown are Charlie Barley Stakes third-place finisher Woodbridge, trained by Mike Keogh, and Kingarvie Stakes winner Jurojin, for trainer Harold Ladouceur.

Two supplemental entries are possible for the Prince of Wales: Spirit of Caledon, who finished sixth in the Queen’s Plate for trainer Pat Parents, and the recent maiden winner Cool Catomine, for trainer John Ross.

The post-position draw is Friday at noon Eastern.