The Canadian Triple Crown is Canada’s illustrious series of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbreds foaled in Canada. Established in 1959, the series mirrors the U.S. Triple Crown distances, but uniquely unfolds across three different racing surfaces, making versatility and adaptability essential for victory. The first leg, the King’s Plate, runs 1 ¼ miles on Tapeta at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. Next comes the Prince of Wales Stakes at 1 3/16 miles on dirt at Fort Erie Race Track. The final jewel, the Breeders’ Stakes, spans 1 ½ miles on turf at Woodbine’s E.P. Taylor Turf Course (this year on the inner turf course).
Winning all three races is a rare feat; only 12 horses, five of them before 1959 and seven since, have officially claimed the Canadian Triple Crown. Legendary names among these champions include With Approval (1989), Izvestia (1990), Dance Smartly (1991) and Wando (2003).
2025: Who’s in the Running?
The 2025 Canadian Triple Crown kicked off with the King’s Plate on August 16 at Woodbine, where Mansetti emerged victorious in the first leg. But who are the top contenders?
Here’s a rundown of the notable competitors:
Mansetti: Trained by Kevin Attard and ridden by Pietro Moran, Mansetti delivered a wire-to-wire performance to snag the King’s Plate. He’d already shown strong form with wins in the Marine Stakes and Woodstock Stakes, and his speed figures and all-weather consistency make him the frontrunner going forward, which is supported by the latest sports betting odds.
Notorious Gangster: Under Josie Carroll’s training, this colt finished second in the Plate Trial Stakes and has proven closing style in multiple stakes wins. Many considered him to be the horse to beat in the King’s Plate.
Scorching: A versatile performer with stakes wins and multiple top-three finishes, Scorching has tactical speed and strong conditioning, providing pace and pressure in future legs.
William T: A relative longshot compared to the three above. This colt posted a commanding maiden victory earlier in July, and while stepping up in class poses a challenge, his consistency makes him one to watch.
Other noteworthy longshots include Runaway Again, with huge closing ability and a string debut performance, and Faber and Dewolf, both trained by Attard, who’s riding a recent hot streak with two King’s Plate winners in the past three years.
What Lies Ahead?
As the Triple Crown moves into the Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders’ Stakes in September, contenders like Mansetti and Notorious Gangster will face new surface challenges. Turf ability, stamina, and change in racing dynamics will be decisive as the field dwindles and the Triple Crown dream narrows.
This year’s race highlights once again why the Canadian Triple Crown, three surfaces, challenging distances, and stiff competition, remains one of the sport’s most demanding and revered achievements.
Ultimately, the Canadian Triple Crown is as much about endurance and adaptability as it is about raw speed. Each leg asks a different question of the horse, trainer, and jockey, and only the most versatile will prevail.
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