It was a winning weekend for conditioner Ian Black and Kinghaven Farms, who recorded their second added-money win in as many days, this time with Stormy Lord in Sunday’s Grade 2, $168,900 Connaught Cup.
After watching Fifty Proof and jockey Justin Stein take the Grade 3 Eclipse Stakes on Saturday, Black and Kinghaven teamed with rider Jim McAleney and the four-year-old gelded son of Stormy Atlantic, co-owned by Hat Trick Stable, to best 2-5 favourite Grand Adventure, who took the Connaught Cup last year.
McAleney took the chestnut, also bred by Kinghaven, immediately to the lead in the seven-furlong feature, which represented the first turf race of the 2011 Thoroughbred campaign.
The duo were in full control throughout, clicking off an opening quarter-mile in :24.38 and a half in :48.16, then easily keeping their rivals at bay for a three-length score.
Hailstone rallied for second, while Grand Adventure was third. The final time over a ‘soft’ E.P. Taylor Turf Course was 1:25.72.
“This horse is just a tremendous competitor,” said McAleney. “He likes to win and he loves his job. He’s matured and he’s come into himself.”
Stormy Lord now has five wins, along with 11 top-three finishes, from 15 starts.
He paid $11.90 for the win, combining with Hailstone for a $58.20 exactor. There was no place, show or triactor wagering.
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