My Boy Prince and jockey Sahin Civaci winning the King Corrie Stakes on May 19, 2024, at Woodbine (Michael Burns Photo)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine Communications / @WoodbineComms
TORONTO, Ont. – My Boy Prince, under Sahin Civaci, ruled like his 1-9 odds in the $100,000 King Corrie Stakes, on Sunday at Woodbine.
Tabbed as one of the top contenders for this year’s edition of The King’s Plate (August 17), My Boy Prince, trained by Mark Casse for owner Gary Barber, was razor-sharp in the seven-furlong all-weather race for 3-year-olds.
Maximus Magic broke sharply from the inside post and was joined immediately to his outside by My Boy Prince. It was Maximus Magic holding a one-length lead through an opening quarter in :24.38, followed by My Boy Prince, Roi Soleil, fellow Casse trainee Midnight Mascot, and Break the Spell.
Civaci ratcheted up the pressure on the pacesetter seconds before the half-mile mark in :47.82, and then seized the lead soon after.
My Boy Prince, Canada’s champion 2-year-old Male, strutted away from his pursuers with ease down the lane, widening his advantage at will in the final 100 yards.
The roan son of Cairo Prince crossed the wire 6 ¾ lengths clear of Roi Soleil. Midnight Mascot rallied to finish third.
The final time was 1:23.04.
“He’s an easy horse,” praised Civaci. “Raffie [jockey, Rafael Hernandez] did break sharper than my horse, but he is very versatile. He can sit off the pace and can come be in the front. We had an easy pace up front and when it’s time to kick, he sure does kick on.
“I made sure I slept early to have energy for this race. It’s great being back on him, I was looking forward to it. I’ve worked him a couple of times in the morning. I’m very pleased with him.”
My Boy Prince had contested four consecutive turf engagements before the King Corrie, including a third, just a head back of the runner-up, in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Santa Anita.
Out of the Silent Name (JPN) mare Hopping Not Hoping, My Boy Prince was bred in Ontario by Murray Graham Smith, and was the $115,000 sale-topper at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.
With the victory, My Boy Prince, who took last year’s Cup and Saucer Stakes, is now 4-2-1 from eight starts.
He paid $2.30 for the win.
