Armistice Day prevails in Toronto Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Armistice Day made a triumphant return to Woodbine when capturing Saturday’s $101,200 Toronto Cup Stakes under Luis Contreras.

Armistice Day tracked the leading Inventing Blame through the turn in the about-nine-furlong turf route for 3-year-olds. He made the lead in midstretch and went on to score by a length over the closing longshot Mo Speed in 1:46.96 over the “good” ground.

Inclusive finished another head back in third. He was followed by the favored Encierro, Inventing Blame, and Noble Hope.

“I had a dream trip,” said Contreras. “I was just sitting second. Not much speed on the lead, so I just let the horse run his race – just be a good pilot. I was just waiting for the quarter pole to ask him to go, and once I was in the stretch, I just turned him loose.”

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Armistice Day graduated at first asking under Contreras here last July before ending up second on short rest in the Victoria Stakes, after which he went to the sidelines. This year, the son of Declaration of War failed to hit board in three starts in the United States and was recently reunited with trainer Barbara Minshall.

Armistice Day ($10.40) earned $60,000 in his first stakes victory for the partnership of Bruce Lunsford and Lansdon Robbins.