Ten years ago, COLTIMUS PRIME zipped away to an impressive win in the Prince of Wales Stakes, the second jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown. Ridden by Eurico da Silva, the son of Milwaukee Brew led from start to finish for Cabarnet Racing Stale of Jayson Horner, who bred the horse. It was the biggest win for Horner and trainer Justin Nixon. Coltimus Prime went on to a strong career which included stakes wins at Gulfstream and then in Panama, where he was champion older horse for two years.
Today, Coltimus Prime is retired at stud in Maryland – he stood in Alberta and Florida from 2020 to 2023 – following a career in which he earned almost $700,000.
And on Tuesday, September 10, Horner and Nixon will be back at Fort Erie for the Prince of Wales with major contender PASSIONED, a son of Paynter, and a half-brother to Coltimus Prime.
Passioned is 10-to-1 in the morning line odds but he is already proven on the dirt as he has been racing at Laurel Park in Maryland where Nixon is based. Passioned won a maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles in the mud on May 4 and a $30,000 claiming race on a fast dirt track on June 21.
He was fourth and third in allowance races, the most recent one after a wide trip.
“We felt the horse is improving, especially if you look at his two turn races this year. He wants the distance,” said Horner. “So we are kind of like the improving team that makes the wild card playoff spot and could be dangerous in the playoffs. Anyway, Justin is liking his forward progression.”
Horner races under Archer Racing Stable which is also owned by his daughter Courtney Horner.
Passioned will be ridden for the first time by Jean Briceno. Passioned and Coltimus Prime are both from the mare Certainly Special by Distorted Humor.
Horner has a two-year-old colt from the mare by Karakontie, Ashley’s Archer, that he owns with Gary Barber. He is also the breeder of recent winner Chromeplated Heart ($170,000) who is out of Crysta’s Court, a stakes-winning daughter of Certainly Special.
Passioned’s main competition in the Prince of Wales will come from morning line favourite MIDNIGHT MASCOT, owned by Manfred and Penny Conrad and trained by Mark Casse. Midnight Mascot was an impressive third in the King’s Plate after falling far behind a modest pace early in the race. Kazushi Kimura will be riding.
Stronach Stables’ VITALITY is also worth a look in the Prince of Wales. He came from far off the pace just like Midnight Mascot to land in mid-pack in the Plate. And the pair from Al and Bill Ulwelling, who have won two of the last three Wales races, Pierre and Jokestar, also rate a look.
