Le Cinquieme Essai
The 2002 Winner of the Prince of Wales Stakes

Le Cinquieme Essai won the 67th renewal of the Prince of Wales Stakes Sunday afternoon to the delight of a boisterous crowd of 7,000 fans. Ridden by Brian Bochinski, trained by Paul Nielsen, and owned by Bill Scott, the three-year-old son of Fastness, grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch with a decisive move, going on to defeat longshot Bravely by one and three-quarter lengths. The final time for the one mile and three-sixteenths was 1:56.3 Le Cinquieme Essai earned $300,000 for the victory, in the richest race in Fort Erie history. Le Cinquieme Essai entered the race as a sentimental favorite for the home town fans. He is based at Fort Erie, ridden by a regular Fort Erie rider, and was the only one of the twelve competitors to have previously raced at the border oval. "I knew the home track was definitely a big advantage," said trainer Paul Nielsen. I think that it makes a big difference when your on your home ground at a track like Fort Erie."

"He was pulling me out of the bridle at the three-eighths pole," said Brian Bochinski. "I tried to keep him as calm as I could until the top of the stretch. I had lots of horse."

Le Cinquieme Essai returned $15.40 for the win, triggering some very nice payouts. The exactor for the wide open event was $426.40 and the triple paid $2,334.10.