Fort Erie, ON - Coltimus Prime, once on the Kentucky Derby trail, went wire-to-wire to win Tuesday's 79th edition of the $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie.

The 1 3/16-mile Prince of Wales, the second leg of Canada's Triple Crown, drew a field of 10 Canadian-bred 3-year-olds with Coltimus Prime sent off as the 5-1 fourth choice behind 8-5 favorite Ami's Holiday, the Queen's Plate runner-up.

Trained by Justin Nixon and ridden by Eurica Rosa da Silva, Coltimus Prime broke sharply from the gate and took the lead from the start. The colt, owned by Cabernet Racing Stables, led every step of the way in a rare start on dirt.

Around the final turn, Coltimus Prime had the lead along rail with Lynx to his outside and Smart Spree third. Coming into the stretch, Coltimus Prime and Lynx were alone on the lead, but Coltimus Prime quickly speeded away for a clear advantage.

Coltimus Prime increased his lead down the stretch and posted a 3 1/2-length victory over Lynx with Ami's Holiday getting third.

Smart Spree finished fourth followed by Rhythm Blues, East Side, Lions Bay, Ascot Martin, Matador and Money Talks.

The time for the Prince of Wales was 1:54.58 on a fast track.

There has not been a Canadian Triple Crown champ since Wando in 2003. Queen's Plate winner Lexie Lou, a filly, did not run Tuesday. The Triple Crown also includes the Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine.

Coltimus Prime notched his first stakes victory and collected $300,000. The colt has won three of nine career starts for $414,988.

Earlier this year he was given a chance to compete against Kentucky Derby quality 3-year-olds after ending 2013 with a second in Woodbine's Display Stakes. In March he finished ninth in the Tampa Bay Derby and the following month fifth in the Blue Grass Stakes.

Back at Woodbine, Coltimus Prime was second and first in a pair of allowance races before finishing ninth in the Queen's Plate.

Coltimus Prime returned $12.80, $6.50 and $3.90. Lynx paid $6.00 and $3.80, and Ami's Holiday paid $2.70 to show.