E.P. TAYLOR

E.P. Taylor played a major role in the development of the Fort Erie Race Track. He developed the Canadian Triple Crown of Racing in 1959, with the second leg of the series, the Prince of Wales Stakes, being the Fort's featured race each season. Canadian thoroughbred racing is now recognized internationally, thanks in large part to the efforts of this one man.

NORTHERN DANCER

Widely regarded as the undisputed "King of Canadian racing", Northern Dancer's brief but storied career was launched with his maiden victory at Fort Erie Race Track. Race three on Friday, August 2, 1963, saw the beginning of Northern Dancer's impressive rookie season. Beating seven 2-year-olds for a purse of $2,100, Northern Dancer tipped his handlers to get ready for a fun ride. As a 2-year-old, the Canadian-bred colt won seven of his nine starts including the Summer Stakes at the Fort, earning over $90,000.

Dance Smartly's career began with two straight victories but the string was snapped with a second in the 1990 Ontario Debutante Stakes at Fort Erie. In 1991, Dance Smartly went undefeated. Her campaign began at Woodbine in May with a victory in the Starshoot Stakes followed by a score in the Selene Stakes. With Pat Day in the irons, Dance Smartly whipped fillies in the Canadian Oaks, then romped to an eight length win in the Queen's Plate defeating the best three-year-olds in the country.

Flawless performances in the Prince of Wales and the Breeders' Stakes earned her the Canadian Triple Crown trophy. She was the first filly in history to sweep all three races. After dancing away form the competitors in the Molson Million, the "Queen" was off to Churchill Downs and completed a perfect season by winning the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Her accomplishments earned her Sovereign Awards as top Canadian 3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year, plus an Eclipse Award as North America's best 3-year-old filly.

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