Wando One Win Away From Canada's Triple

To the surprise of no one, Gustav Schickedanz's Wando won the Prince of Wales Stakes (Can-I) by a comfortable four lengths Sunday at Fort Erie Race Track, picking up the second jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.

The 3-year-old son of Langfuhr is one victory – the Breeders Stakes at Woodbine (Can-I) on Aug. 9 – away from becoming the seventh to sweep the series, which started last month with the Queen's Plate (Can-I). Wando won the Queen's Plate by nine widening lengths. The series carries a $500,000 bonus.

Trained by Mike Keogh and ridden to victory by Patrick Husbands, Wando earned $300,000 for the win, covering 1 3/16 mile in 1:55 4/5 over a muddy main track.

After getting away second, the speedy chestnut Wando soon took over while setting fractions of :22 4/5, :46 2/5, 1:10 4/5 and 1:36 2/5. He opened a four-length lead in the stretch over runner-up Arco's Gold and maintained it to the wire. Shoal Water was third, six lengths behind the winner.

Sent off as the overwhelming 3-10 favorite, Wando paid $2.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Arco's Gold returned $3.40 and $2.50. Shoal Water paid $2.50.

(Chart, Equibase)