Prince of Wales Day Handicapping Blog

Prince of Wales favorite Wonder Gadot may have turned the corner with a romping 4 ¾-length victory in the Queen’s Plate.

A multiple stakes winner at age 2, the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro had arguably shown an aversion to the winner’s circle in her previous starts this year. The dark bay lass wasn’t going to beat Monomoy Girl in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), but Wonder Gadot had been in position and came up short against Chocolate Kisses, Dixie Moon, Sassy Sienna and Stronger Than Ever in four other sophomore appearances.

She won with complete authority at Woodbine, displaying good tactical speed before pouncing on the far turn, and Wonder Gadot will face only five rivals in the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, Tuesday’s $400,000 Prince of Wales at Woodbine.

John Velazquez will be in to guide the Mark Casse-trainee.

Likely pacesetter Cooler Mike has the best chance for an upset in my estimation. The gelding held well for third after being part of a hot pace in the Queen’s Plate and appears to be making fine progress for trainer Nicholas Nosowenko, netting a career-best 90 BRIS Speed rating in the Queen’s Plate. After recording unplaced finishes in three stakes attempts as a juvenile, the Ontario-bred son of Giant Gizmo has displayed improved speed and form this season. Jesse Campbell retains the mount.

Wonder Gadot is the most likely winner but after thriving on a synthetic track last time, she will be switching back to dirt. And the classy daughter has been more than willing to settle for a minor award in the past.

I’ll add Cooler Mike to multi-race wagers.

A total of nine races will be offered on the Tuesday card and here are a couple of other horses I like:

#5 Handsome Cowboy (6-1) stretches back out to a mile and looks set for an optimal performance in the 5^TH race. The gelding made his 7-year-old bow last month and now has a few starts under him, recording a rallying third last time. He displayed a similar patter prior to his lone win last season, a convincing tally on the course and distance, and Handsome Cowboy should receive a favorable set-up with a couple of early types entered.

In the 7^TH race, #1 Tevez (6-1) returns in a speed-laden turf sprint. The 12-year-old gelding concluded 2017 in good form, winning two of his last three starts, and he won his first start back last year in a Fort Erie turf sprint during the summer. Tevez is 4-for-4 over the local course and should be rolling from off the pace here with leading rider Krista Carignan taking the mount.

Good luck!