Two seek stakes repeats
FORT ERIE, Ontario - Fort Erie will offer a stakes race on both its Monday and Tuesday programs, and each event could be taken by the same horse who won in 2004.
Kissed by a Prince returns to defend her title in the H.A. Hindmarsh on Monday, while Domascas Consort is back looking to repeat in Tuesday's H.J. Addison.
Both $40,000 stakes will be contested at 1 1/16 miles and are restricted to runners who have been offered for sale at one of Woodbine's open yearling or 2-year-olds in training sales.
Kissed by a Prince, a six-time winner trained by Woodbine-based Mike DePaulo, should have a walk in the park in her division. Only two runners will oppose Kissed by a Prince, who is stretching out after finishing a strong closing third in the $125,000, six-furlong Ballade at Woodbine on June 8.
"She's doing well," said DePaulo. "She should win. She got a 90 Beyer when she won last year."
Kissed by a Prince's two opponents, Oblivious and Young and Restless, have never earned a Beyer as high as 80.
Oblivious, trained by Josie Carroll, has 2 wins from 11 starts - both on the turf.
Young and Restless, 2 for 14 lifetime, will be making her second start of the year after finishing fifth in a $12,500 claimer.
Domascas Consort, who is winless since his huge upset over 1-20 favorite Forever Grand in last year's Addison, will face four runners.
In eight races since, Domascas Consort has only hit the board once, finishing second in his last start.
Forever Grand was nominated for Tuesday's race, but his trainer, Noel Randall, opted out, preferring to stick to sprints.
Trainer Debbie Rombis will saddle an entry for the Addison - Hunter Jay and Thank You Sir. In two previous starts in the Addison, Thank You Sir finished second in 2001 and third in 2003.
Imperial Commander, trained by Martin Hinckson, left the maiden ranks in his sole start this year on June 20.
Completing the field is Chivas, a son of the hot sire Whiskey Wisdom. Chivas is yet to regain his good form of last year, when he won twice.