Toronto, On – Sterwins rallied late to defeat reigning turf champion Rahy’s Attorney in Sunday’s Grade 3, $173,300 Connaught Cup at Woodbine.
The Melnyk Racing Stables homebred completed the 1 1/16-mile E.P. Taylor Turf event in 1:38.99, breaking a 14-year-old course record by about one-fifth of a second (Jet Freighter, 1:39 1/5, June 4, 1995). The Ontario-bred son of Runaway Groom was accompanied to the winner’s circle by a familiar tandem, trainer Malcolm Pierce and jockey Patrick Husbands, who have combined for a 4-for-4 record in added-money events and an overall record of nine wins from 11 starts (81 per cent) this year.
Sterwins, who was second in the 2006 Queen’s Plate, prevailed by a short head over Rahy’s Attorney, who set fractions of :46.94 and 1:10.28 and cruised into the lane with an open-length advantage under Slade Callaghan. Society’s Chairman ran his in-the-money streak to five straight races, closing late to finish third.
Husbands said he enjoyed a perfect trip and gave full marks to rival Rahy’s Attorney, who carried five pounds more than Sterwins, for his deep-stretch tenacity. “I set him down and he gave me everything. I had Slade beat the last four strides and his horse dug back in. (I said), ‘Wow! He’s really called a racehorse,'” offered Husbands. “It’s unbelievable getting this horse back. He got hurt. He ran a big race today.”
The Connaught Cup was the first stakes score for Sterwins since last April’s Ben Ali at Keeneland. Pierce entered the six-year-old gelding in the same event this year, but was disappointed with the result. “He trained well into the race. I expected a lot bigger race from him. He ran fifth and not a super effort. We had a lot of time between races coming into that spot. I was hoping that race would move him forward for today,” explained Pierce. “Apparently, as a three-year-old he was more nervous. With age, he has settled down. I don’t think he really has to carry his surface with him.”
Sterwins is now 7-for-21. The Connaught was his second stakes score at Woodbine and was worth $103,500, pushing his career earnings over $700,000.
Pierce is enjoying a strong 2009 meet with nine wins from 27 starts. The 52-year-old is 4-for-10 in Woodbine stakes and could be in the limelight again next Sunday, May 31, when El Brujo contests the Plate Trial Stakes. “Things have been going well. I hope nothing changes,” said the Newmarket native.
Sterwins returned $8.80, $4.40 and $2.70, combining with Rahy’s Attorney ($4.10, $3) for a $30 exactor. Society’s Chairman ($2.70) completed a triactor worth $89.70.
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