Prince of Wales Day: Successful Twilight Card

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That's your 2013 Prince of Wales winner, Uncaptured, a 3-year-old son of Lion Heart, who won the 78th edition of the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown on Tuesday evening at Fort Erie Race Track. I was fortunate enough to cover the race for The Buffalo News, ironically a race I had never had the opportunity to write about in my stint as the national racing writer for the paper. My recap of the race can be found here.

The border oval was rocking on Tuesday night, and I'd say the experiment of moving the race to a Tuesday evening proved to be a success. Handle was up, and by the looks of the parking lot, attendance was up and the weather was outright spectacular.

The race day had its share of long shots and favorites winning over the course of the twilight card. The $1 Pick Five paid over $13,000. The only downer of the evening was the scratches of two of trainer Mark Casse's horses Dynamic Sky and Spring in the Air out of the Prince of Wales earlier in the day. But he still had the favorite, Uncaptured for owner John C. Oxley, who handled the Fort Erie dirt surface for his third win in four career dirt starts.

River Seven was valiant in defeat losing by only a length to the classy Uncaptured after a disappointing 10th place finish in the Queen's Plate.

Overall, it was a magnificent day at the track and from what I could tell everyone had themselves a very good time. It was great to see my Woodbine friends Keith McCalmont and John Siscos who made the trip down from Toronto for the race as well as seeing a lot of friends from the Buffalo area who braved the bridge to enjoy a lovely evening at the border oval.

Here are a few pictures from my Prince of Wales day at the Fort...

Welcome to the Fort!

Food Trucks were onsite

Pie Food Truck with
directions to the Tiki Bar

Musical Talent was in the house

Pig Roast

Packed House

View of the Tiki Bar from
the Winners' Circle

Me, some Mounties and You down with OPP?

19-1 Catch the Luck wins Race 6

Uncaptured enters the paddock

River Seven in the walking ring

River Seven's ownership group -
Tucci Stables

Casse and Mena head to meet Uncaptured

Miguel Mena aboard Uncaptured

Eurico Rosa da Silva in the irons
on River Seven

Stephen Bahen on third place
finisher Niigon's Glory

Power Phil takes them past us
for the first time

Uncaptured glides past River Seven
to win the Prince of Wales

Winners' Circle Photo
in the beautiful Fort Erie infield

Trophy time

Miguel Mena and the goods

Casse and Mena being interviewed by
Jason Portuando

And that's a wrap from Fort Erie, hope you enjoyed the races and if you've never been to the Fort, make it a point to visit, it's a beautiful track with lots of great people.