Connaught Cup Stakes – Grade 2 – $175.000 Purse
WO – 7 Furlongs – Turf
For Three Years Old and Upward
July 23, 2022

Cherokee Devil scored his fifth and biggest win in a twenty-race career. He broke well and stalked the pace throughout, pulling away by 1/2 length in the stretch.

Gran Man took the early lead with Cherokee Devil, Rocky Mountain High and Bubble Bubble stretched out across the track behind him. Next tier consisted of Insist Always, Free Blast and Shark Anarchy, with Sweep The Soviet and Senator II pulling up the rear.

Gran Man continued to show the way into the turn. Cherokee Devil started to separate from the first tier with Bubble Bubble on his shoulder and Rocky Mountain High right there between them. Insist Always made a move on the far outside, leaving the rest of the field behind.

At the top of the stretch, Cherokee Devil and Rocky Mountain High pressed Gran Man for the lead and they entered the stretch three across the track with Bubble Bubble fading. Patient throughout, Free Blast started his move on the inside.

With a furlong to go, Cherokee Devil took the lead with Rocky Mountain High a fraction of a length behind. Free Blast made a big move into fourth with Gran Man fading to his outside. Insist Always and Shark Anarchy swung wide for their run, but it was too little too late. Cherokee Devil hit the wire 1/2 length in front of Rocky Mountain High with Free Blast getting up for third.

Winner Cherokee Devil is owned by Maxmillion Farm. He is by Cherokee Sunset out of Devil Wears Prada by O Cayman. Bred by Axeman, the four-year-old colt was bought as a two-year-old for $355.000. It was his fifth career win, bringing his earnings to $360.280. CONGRATULATIONS Maxmillion Farm and Cherokee Devil.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES