Left alone on the lead, lightly raced Alezzandro got brave in the stretch run of Sunday's CAN$500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes under Todd Kabel and went gate to wire for a 1 3/4-length win at Fort Erie.
Alezzandro's victory in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown for 3-year-olds bred north of the border means there will be no sweep this year. Queen's Plate victor Mike Fox gave way in the final furlong Sunday and finished fourth.
Trained by Kevin Attard for co-owner Knob Hill Stable, who bred Alezzandro, and the Estate of Steve Stavro, the Ontario-bred High Yield colt was making his fourth start in the Prince of Wales with his only previous win coming in his maiden debut effort May 13 at Woodbine. The quick developing Alezzandro ran second in the Queen's Plate, giving way to Mike Fox in the final strides after leading by 2 1/2 lengths in the stretch.
There was no late fade this time, however. After striking the lead through fractions of :23 3/5, :47 2/5 and 1:11 3/5, Alezzandro spurted away from his rivals coming off the final turn. He led by three lengths in the stretch and kept to the task under steady urging to complete the 1 3/16-mile dirt test in 1:55.
Favored Jiggs Coz, last in the field of six for the first six furlongs after a slow break, rallied five wide in the stretch for jockey David Clark and appeared to be getting to the winner late before settling for second, 4 1/2 lengths in front of Daaher, ridden by Mike Luzzi.
Alezzandro has earned US$521,006 with a career record of 2-1-1 in four starts.
Sent off as the third choice, he paid $9.40, $4, and $3.20. Plate Trial winner Jiggs Coz returned $3.10 and $2.60. Daaher was $2.70 to show as the second choice.
Mike Fox, Marchfield, and Poachers Moon followed.
(Chart, Equibase)
