Breaking Lucky came from last to spring a 13-1 upset in the 80th edition of the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, second jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown of Racing, Tuesday at Fort Erie.
With the neck win, the chestnut son of Lookin at Lucky also denied Shaman Ghost, the Queen’s Plate winner, who finished a gallant second, a bid for the Triple Crown in the Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine. Field of Courage was another neck back in third in the three-horse photo.
Jim McAleney rode the Gunpowder Farms silk-bearer to victory for trainer Reade Baker. It was the first Prince of Wales win for all three. The running time for 1 3/16 miles was 1:56.59.
While last early, Breaking Lucky started making a bid for the lead around the turn, at which point McAleney made a critical decision at the top of the stretch that likely won him the race.
“I knew (Shaman Ghost) was there (fifth on the turn),” said McAleney. “I had the option on the turn to take the path he was going and follow him or move toward the outside. I felt I had a clear outside trip so I opted for the outside. I knew Shaman Ghost was down inside and once he got through, he would come running. I had the horses near me beaten at the eighth pole, but knew that horse was coming. I knew the race wasn’t over.”
Baker praised McAleney and felt he had the best horse. “Jimmy is a very good rider, he just needs more opportunities now. He was close enough to the lead. It was a very fair racetrack. Inside. Outside. Back. Front. You just had to have the best horse and we had the best horse.”
Rafael Manuel Hernandez, jockey of runner-up Shaman Ghost, said his horse gave a good effort.
“I was inside down the backside and had to stay where I was and make one run. He handled the surface fine and he tried hard. He’s a very good horse. It looked like we were done down the lane, but he came back again and almost got there.”
Eurico Rosa da Silva, jockey of third-place finisher Field of Courage lacked a little experience to just miss in his Prince of Wales bid.
“My trip was great. When we turned for home, my horse was a little bit green and we lost a little bit of momentum there and that’s why we got beat today. Still, the winner really was great today and deserved to win. ”
Baker indicated that Breaking Lucky would run in the Breeders’ next on August 16.
It was the second lifetime win from six starts for Breaking Lucky, who now has career earnings of $362,700, all as a three-year-old.
Breaking Lucky paid $28.10, $8.30 and $5.90, combining with Shaman Ghost ($2.30, $2.40) for a $70.40 (6-4) exactor. A 6-4-3 triactor (Field of Courage, $6.50 to show) was worth $351.70, while a $1 Superfecta [6-4-3-1 (Scorch)] came back $1128.50.
