May 16, 2024
By Woodbine Communications
TORONTO, May 16, 2024 – My Boy Prince, Canada’s champion 2-year-old Male, makes his return to Woodbine in Sunday’s $100,000 King Corrie Stakes.
Trained by dual Hall of Famer Mark Casse for owner Gary Barber, the son of Cairo Prince arrives at the seven-furlong main track feature off an eighth, 3 ½ lengths behind the winner, in the Palisades Stakes on April 7 at Keeneland.
It was the fourth consecutive turf engagement for My Boy Prince, who was third, a head back of the runner-up, in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Santa Anita.
“I thought his race in Keeneland was very good,” said Casse. “I kind of feel as though he’s good, but he’s not there yet. The Breeders’ Cup took a lot out of him, and it’s taken him a while to bounce back.”
My Boy Prince, the $115,000 sale-topper at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, ran second in his debut last May.
One race after a six-length maiden-breaking score at five furlongs, the striking grey toyed with his rivals to the tune of a 14-length triumph in the 6 ½-furlong Simcoe Stakes on August 27.
Second in the Summer Stakes (G1T) in September, My Boy Prince was back in the winner’s circle courtesy of a 4 ¼-length victory in the Cup & Saucer Stakes, at 1 1/16 miles over the E.P. Taylor turf.
The King’s Plate hopeful heads into the King Corrie with a record of 3-2-1 from seven starts.
“He has the talent, and he has the ability. He should appreciate coming back to Woodbine. Hopefully, it results in a big effort on Sunday.”
Out of the Silent Name (JPN) mare Hopping Not Hoping, My Boy Prince was bred in Ontario by Murray Graham Smith.
Casse will also be represented by Midnight Mascot, a bay son of Army Mule.
Sporting a mark of 2-2-1 from six starts, the colt heads into his latest test off a three-quarter length win in the six-furlong Woodstock Stakes on April 28.
“He ran well,” said Casse, who teamed with jockey Patrick Husbands, Barber, and Olympic Runner to win the 2019 running of the King Corrie. “I also think he will like the added distance too.”
After a third and second to launch his career, Midnight Mascot broke his maiden last October. He was fifth in the Grey Stakes (G3) before closing out his rookie campaign with a runner-up performance in the Clarendon Stakes on December 2.
“He’s a very consistent horse,” said Casse. “We were very happy with the Woodstock and hopefully, he can build off that.”
Bred by Yvonne Schwabe Thoroughbreds, Midnight Mascot was purchased by Manfred and Penny Conrad for $200,000 at the 2022 Keeneland Association September Yearling Sale.
The King Corrie is slated as race three on Sunday’s card, with a first post of 1:10 p.m. Fans can wager on all the action through HPIbet.com and bet365.com.
Field for the King Corrie
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Maximus Magic – Rafael Hernandez – Norm McKnight
2 – My Boy Prince – Sahin Civaci – Mark Casse
3 – Roi Soleil – Kazushi Kimura – Steven Chircop
4 – Break the Spell – Skye Chernetz – David Cotey
5 – Midnight Mascot – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
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