NEWS
Sterwins sets course record in Connaught Cup
Posted: Sunday, May 24, 2009 6:27 PM
STERWINS (outside) COLLARS RAHY'S ATTORNEY AT WOODBINE
Michael Burns photo
To view a video replay of the Connaught Cup Stakes, click here.
by Mike Curry
Sterwins overhauled Canadian champion Rahy’s Attorney in the closing strides to post a victory in the $154,688 Connaught Cup Stakes (Can-G3) on Sunday at Woodbine and set a turf course record for 1 1/16 miles.
The Runaway Groom gelding rallied from last to first in the final five-sixteenths of a mile under jockey Patrick Husbands, nipping 2008 Connaught Cup winner Rahy’s Attorney by a head in the final strides. Sterwins completed 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:38.99, topping the previous course record of 1:39.20 that was held by three horses.
"I set him down and he gave me everything,” Husbands said of Sterwins, who was sidelined for eight months beginning last summer with an injury. "It's unbelievable getting this horse back. He got hurt. He ran a big race today."
Rahy’s Attorney won the 2008 Woodbine Mile Stakes (Can-G1) en route to the Sovereign Award as Canadian champion turf horse. The five-year-old Crown Attorney gelding set the pace under Slade Callaghan through six furlongs in 1:10.28, while Husbands reserved Sterwins at the back of the seven-horse field.
Husbands angled Sterwins wide entering the stretch and he closed willingly to reel in Rahy’s Attorney. The pacesetter battled back when challenged late but could not hold off Sterwins, who improved to seven wins in 21 career starts and boosted his bankroll to $691,583.
Sterwins entered off a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) on April 19 at Keeneland Race Course for owner Melnyk Racing Stables and trainer Malcolm Pierce.
"He trained well into the race. I expected a lot bigger race from him. He ran fifth and not a super effort,” Pierce said of the Ben Ali. “I was hoping that race would move him forward for today."
Out of the Wild Again mare Sweet Vale, Sterwins won the 2008 Ben Ali and finished second in the 2006 Queen’s Plate Stakes.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
