The Connaught Cup Stakes – GII
5/30/20
WO Race 7 7F – Turf
Purse $175.000
Four Year Olds and Up
Full field of twelve turf sprinters has been entered up to tackle this years running of the grade two Connaught Cup Stakes over the big sweeping Woodbine turf course. Let’s take a look at the field.
1. Roombound (38-10-8-4 $370.380), trained by Threshold
First up is form my fellow writer Threshold and he is going to be making a huge jump up from a ten dollar claimer. Been a while since he has ran on the turf and it’s a huge jump in class so we’ll see if he stands any chance.
2. Wrapitupboys (30-6-1-5 $174.690), trained by TwinTowers Racing
Next up here is this runner here who is cutting back five furlongs from his last race which was a mile and a half. I do think he is better sprinting but he looks to be in a little tough in here. He will have to run a huge race to win here.
3. Arctic Circle (16-6-1-2 $208.260), trained by Robeth
Up next here is a stakes winner in his career and he has ran with some very good horses in his past. He just can’t seem to find the winners circle in this big stakes races though. Going to have to run a career best to win.
4. Disco King (31-9-3-9 $260.670), trained by Gdp Inc
A speedball here and he usually runs short distances very well. He won two races at four and a half furlongs this year. He seems good on the dirt so not sure if the switch to the turf will improve him. He is speedy but this is a tough task.
5. Southern Fame (11-2-1-3 $101.400), trained by Mb Stables
Runner for Mb Stables here and he is coming into this race off of an allowance optional claiming win at Tampa at five furlongs. He seems to be a talented runner but unproven at this level of class runners.
6. Sezhai (17-4-2-3 $74.840), trained by Greeko Holdem
And now to this horse who is coming into this race off of two unsuccessful stakes tries in a row over a mile. He is coming back to a sprint but I do think he is better at a route. Going to have to run big to have a shot here.
7. Red Cup (19-3-3-3 $827.840), trained by John Henry
John Henry does not seem to be all that sure on what he wants to do with this runner by switching him from turf to dirt and sprint to route. He is a graded stakes winner but I do not see him winning this one.
8. Regret Nothing (27-8-4-2 $992.800), trained by Maxmillion Farm
Two stakes wins in a row for the former Derby runner and he definitely has found his home on the grass. He looks to be awfully tough in this one and he is probably going to be the horse to beat in my opinion.
9. Gleaming Spirit (32-16-4-2 $1836.900), trained by Mb Stables
Second for Mb Stables in here and he is last years Breeders Cup Turf Sprint winner. A great racehorse and he has exactly half of his races during his career. He is a very good horse but the recent form has not been great.
10. Desther Pepper (25-5-7-8 $174.940), trained by Greeko Holdem
Second runner for Greeko Holdem in the field and he won a wide open allowance race at Gulfstream Park in his last race. He ran very well last time and seems to be doing well. He should have a good chance.
11. Roman Rage (42-15-5-6 $533.110), trained by Gdp Inc
Also second runner from Gdp Inc and this is his better entry in my opinion. This horse has won big races before and he is also in good form. Tough draw but if he can work out a trip he will be tough in here.
12. Butter Ball (24-10-1-5 $416.660), trained by Chili King Stables
Outside runner in the field here and he is coming into this race off of a fifth in the grade three San Francisco Mile. He has a very tough post to overcome in here and I think he is in a little tough with this field.
Summary
All the best runners have been drawn towards the outside in the field which throws a twist in the race. The top runners are all towards the outside so not sure how this race will turn out. Good luck to all in the field.
8-10-9-11
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES