PUSS N BOOTS

Fort Erie Race Track's centrepiece is its beautiful infield, filled with flowers and scenic lakes. In 1961, a horse named Puss n Boots couldn't resist the plush surroundings and decided to take a detour and a refreshing dip while leading a race at the top of the stretch.

Jockey Ronnie Behrens was sent flying as Puss n Boots veered inward and made his way to the infield. It sounds like a tall tale, but 14,106 fans were on hand that afternoon to testify that Puss n Boots did indeed take that fabled plunge into Fort Erie Racing lore.

In honour of his impromptu swim, Fort Erie Race Track holds the Puss n Boots Stakes on the turf every summer. In 1996, the tradition continued with an eccentric twist. Prior to the event, owner Robert Elkins boasted that he'd follow Puss n Boots' lead and would jump into the infield lake if his horse, Dancing for Beans, won the race. Rider Francine Villeneuve must have been inspired by Elkins' dare, as she brought Dancing for Beans from last to first, sending Elkins for a swim.

BENBURB

As the 133rd running of the Queen's Plate neared in the summer of 1992, Kinghaven Farms' Alydeed was made the early favourite at 1-5. the grey son of Shadeed had just missed winning the Preakness Stakes and was a runaway winner of both the Marine Stakes and Plate Trial. Alydeed was the shortest early morning favourite since Northern Dancer came off his victory in the Kentucky Derby. Indeed, Alydeed romped in the Plate, winning off by 11-1/2 lengths. The Triple Crown and the Bank of Montreal's million-dollar bonus appeared to be locked up. It was a simple process - win the Prince of Wales and Breeders' Stakes - Kinghaven would have a third Triple Crown.

When Aydeed arrived at Fort Erie, who would have thought he would be involved in the biggest upset in the history of the Prince of Wales Stakes. Three days of rain had rendered the track deep and wet. On race day, another downpour left the track surface a muddy mess. Benburb, third in the Plate, was one of five who showed up to take on the 1-20 favourite.

Benburb, with jockey Larry Attard aboard, stalked Alydeed's early pace and in a thrilling stretch duel, nailed him at the wire. Benburb destroyed the dream of a Triple Crown in '92 and voided the million-dollar cheque. Those wise enough to wager on Benburb that rainy Sunday afternoon were rewarded with a $51 win mutuel. It wasn't the biggest payoff in Prince of Wales history, but provided the most surprising outcome by far.