Something Extra, under a sparkling ride by Eurico Rosa da Silva, made every pole a winning one to capture Sunday’s Grade 2, $154,200 Connaught Cup, at Woodbine.
The seven-furlong event marked the first added-money score for the four-year-old son of Indian Charlie, owned by John Menary in partnership with trainer Gail Cox.
Something Extra won by two and a half lengths and covered seven furlongs in 1:20.69, with Big Band Sound second and Artic Fern third.
The Kentucky-bred gelding broke smartly and was urged to the lead by da Silva through splits of :23 and :45.59, with Artic Fern stalking from second position.
Something Extra opened up a two and a half length lead at the top of the lane and sprinted through the wire a commanding winner.
“I wanted to use his speed, and the track too,” said da Silva. “(The turf course) seems like a big advantage for a speed horse.
“I kept talking to him, saying relax, relax. Then I said, boy, I love you, and then he relaxed, put his ears up and had a little breather, and then ran very fast home. He ran a great race.”
Something Extra entered the Connaught Cup off a troubled trip in the Jacques Cartier Stakes when blocked into the turn in the six furlong ‘Poly’ sprint, finishing fourth.
Cox was pleased with the versatility of her improving horse, who maintained a perfect in-the-money record on the turf adding a victory to a pair of seconds and a third in four grassy starts.
“I would think he loves the turf when it’s hard like this,” offered Cox. “This horse always runs 100%. He’s easy to train, he’s a good work horse, and he’s pretty nice to get ready. He’s always been like that.”
Something Extra paid $29.90, $15.20 and $10, combining with Big Band Sound ($6.10, $4.40) for a $183.20 exactor. Artic Fern ($9.20) completed a $1,412 triactor. A $1 superfecta (Riding the River) returned $6,373.10.
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