July 15, 2012 - 5:35 PM
FORT ERIE, Ont. - Filly Dixie Strike took the lead down the stretch and claimed the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes on Sunday.
Dixie Strike, with Patrick Husbands aboard, overtook Colleen's Sailor for the lead and went on to win the 1 3/16-mile race, the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown, in 1:57.54 on a fast dirt surface at Fort Erie Racetrack.
Ultimate Destiny finished third while Colleen's Sailor held on for third in the nine-horse field.
Queen's Plate winner Strait of Dover didn't run Sunday as his handlers opted against it because the horse has struggled on dirt.
But Strait of Dover's absence was significant considering this likely marked the last Prince of Wales Stakes ever to be run here.
The 115-year-old Fort Erie Racetrack has hosted the second jewel of Canadian thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown since 1929 but is scheduled to close Dec. 31.
The third and final race is the $500,000 Breeders Stakes, a 1 1/2-mile turf event which will be held Aug. 5 at Toronto's Woodbine Racetrack.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012