He has been a work in progress, a colt that appeared to have talent, but no one was sure just how much.
On Labour Day Monday, MILITARY TIME went to the head of the Canadian-bred three-year-old colt class with his measured win in the $480,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie. Ridden by 22-year-old Fraser Aebly, who was winning his first Canadian classic, Military Time was the fifth ‘Wales winner for trainer Mark Casse and second for Gary Barber, who co-owned with Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable.
The Prince of Wales, second jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown, lost a bit of its, er, luster when dominant King’s Plate-winning filly Luster stayed home to prepare for a fall campaign. Five of the eight starters in Fort Erie’s signature race were behind the fab filly in the Plate and the entire eight-horse field was trying a traditional dirt track for the first time.
Military Time, who beat everyone he could see in the Plate, had been picking up top three placings all season after he won his season opener in a seven furlong allowance/optional race. He rallied to be second to Highwaytothemoon in the Queenston Stakes at a sprint distance, was along for third in the Plate Trial behind the same rival, and then a clear second in the Plate.
In the Trial, the Casse team added blinkers to the arsenal of the handsome chestnut son of Gun Runner.
“We need him just to focus more,” said Casse before the Plate, while admitting Luster would be difficult to beat in Canada’s biggest race. Military Time acquitted himself well with his closing runner-up showing,
The second time with his new blinkers and without Luster in the ‘Wales lineup, Military Time was always close to the pace and eager for Aebly throughout the 1 3/16 miles. Tucked behind a pace battle between last year’s Coronation Futurity winner Fire and Wine, who was third in the Plate, and debut winner Keepmypowderdry, Military Time always looked like he was getting ready to strike.
The pace fractions were solid, 23.48, 47.28 and 1:11.32, and when Fire and Wine dropped off, Keepmypowderdry, owned by Michael Lay, was alone on the lead heading into the stretch. Aebly was working on Military Time to get him to go after the leader, but sneaking up the rail was Brachetto with Ryan Munger.
“I knew the one inside me at the quarter pole was quickening pretty good too, but I knew I had enough horse to keep my position, and he kept running,” said Aebly. Military Time edged the Manitoba-bred Brachetto (Vekoma) by half a length while the maiden Buium, an Uncle Mo half-brother to Prince of Wales winner Haddassah, was along for third. Keepmypowderdry (Omaha Beach) was fourth, beaten just one length for the win. The final time was 1:56.o2, seventh fastest in the last 15 years.
Aebly, who is from Grande Prairie, Alberta, has been at Woodbine since late 2023 and has quickly established himself as one of the country’s top riders. He is currently second in the Woodbine jockey standings with 71 wins, just behind Pietro Moran.
Military Time earned $300,000 and he has a career record of four wins in nine races and just over $512,000 in earnings. That puts him over his purchase price, which was $350,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale. Sold by Hidden Brook for breeder Adena Springs in Aurora, ON, Military Time is the first foal to race of Woodbine stakes winner RED CABERNET, a daughter of the trusty Ontario sire Signature Red. Red Cabernet was the first horse to race for Piano Bar Stable and she was trained by Ian Black. The mare won eight of 32 races including the Victoriana, Eternal Search, and Algoma Stakes and over $388,000.
Red Cabernet was bred by the late Paul Buttigieg and she is from the Deputy Commander mare Gold Leaf Rose, whose daughter Rose in the Forest had a Frac Daddy yearling filly sell for $40,000 at the CTHS Ontario yearling sale last week.
MORE FORT ERIE
The popular PUSS N BOOTS CUP on the grass was won by Tino Attard’s QUIET INTENT (Frac Daddy) with Moran riding. And, as is customary, Attard and Moran jumped in the infield lake following Quiet Intent’s rallying victory, emulating the leap into the water by the race’s namesake some 60 years ago.
This was the first year the Prince of Wales was held on Labour Day Monday. Wagering on site at Fort Erie was up from $205,000 last year to $230,086. However, off-track wagering was $1,791,392 compared to $2,640,404 in 2025.
Tino Attard, owner and trainer of Quiet Intent who won the Puss N Boots Cup, celebrates after jumping in the lake with jockey Pietro Moran. His son Kevin looks on. (Luke Edwards Media photo)
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