Prince of Wales Stakes
1 3/16m   Dirt   Stake
Purse $500.000  For Three Year Olds Foaled In Canada.

A fascinating race in which we see 50% of the field owned by one trainer and the horse that won the Queens Plate by eight lengths. In true HRP style i would think we will see the most unlikely horse winner but if there is some semblance of form left it should be race for They All Laughed to gain some compensation for three great efforts in the TC. Failing a sloppy surface Laffin Parrot should get into the race along with Gemini Shadows and Danzig On The Rocks.

1 Gemini Shadows, trained by Night Rider Stables
Hated the ground in the Queens Plate but still managed fourth albeit beaten ten lengths. That race was, i am pretty sure, a blip on the HRP form book so i would be more confident in his finishing position rather than how far he was beaten. Before that he won the Plate Trial Stakes pretty nicely and had been improving nicely since his ten dollar claim back in February. A sound chance from a  decent draw.

2 Danzig On The Rocks, trained by Mb Stables
Won the Coolmore Lexington and the PIM Special before being beaten eleven lengths in the Queens Plate, like Gemini Shadows, i think we have to throw that form out of the window. If he returns to his PIM Special form he should be good enough to get in the first three.

3 Throwing Hands, trained by Mb Stables
Won a cheap maiden by six lengths before a great third in the FL Derby and has run well enough since to put him right in the picture here. Second to Gemini Shadows in the Plate Trial i am not sure he has improved since that so he may find that one atleast too good here.

4 Laffin Parrot, trained by Mo Mentum Farm
This will be the moment of truth for this horse and HRP. If the ground comes up dry and this horse gets beat by ten lengths then i guess we can say that Queens Plate win was just down to the sloppy surface and another one of those ‘special’ things that only happens at HRP. I for one hope the ground comes up fast and this horse goes and wins by eight lengths again but that i seriously doubt.

5 Antonym, trained by Team 7 Illusions
Second in the Queens Plate but by now we all know how far he was beaten. Fifth in a twenty dollar claimer before that effort you have to hope for the sake of common sense that he does something today other than finish where his previous form suggested he would in the Queens Plate.

6 They All Laughed, trained by Mb Stables
Second in the KYD, third in the Preakness and fourth in the BEL, this horse should be head and shoulders better than this field. Having said that of course he has the wide draw to contend with plus Laffin Parrot who beat the BEL winner by fourteen lengths last time. His trainer has 50% of the field here and this one looks the best so you would expect him to atleast be in the first three.

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded