Conman will be hard to deny in Toronto Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Conman made quite a splash when romping in his Woodbine debut in the Hamilton Stakes, and the New York-bred will try to double up going a mile in Sunday’s $125,000 Toronto Cup Stakes.

Trained by Mark Casse, Conman was competitive against statebred allowance company at Aqueduct and Belmont Park during the spring before experiencing a troubled trip when a subpar sixth on July 20 at Saratoga.

Conman was favored in the 7 1/2-furlong Hamilton on the inner turf Aug. 6. With Patrick Husbands aboard, the son of Constitution raced in third until the stretch before blowing by the leaders en route to a 3 1/4-length score with a career-high 89 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I tried to ride him like the best horse,” Husbands said. “On paper, he showed you that he was much the best horse. I put him in the race, eased back, and got a perfect trip. When I swung for home, I didn’t want to squeeze him yet. I got him in the clear, got him onto his right lead, and he just took off.”

Casse, who has won the Toronto Cup six times, also is sending out Lifetime of Chance and Eyes On the King in the one-mile turf race that drew eight 3-year-olds.

Lifetime of Chance edged out Eyes On the King for second in the Hamilton after closing stoutly from fifth in the fast-paced race. He won a division of the New York Stallion Stakes on the dirt at Aqueduct in his first try for Casse in April. Sahin Civaci retains the mount on the New York-bred.

:: Bet with the Best! Get Free DRF PPs and Cashback when you wager. Join DRF Bets.Eyes On the King pressed the pace in the Hamilton while helping to set the table for his stablemates before tiring late in his first start on turf and with Lasix. Expect him to be forwardly placed again under Rafael Hernandez.

Canadian-bred British Artillery is prepping for the Oct. 1 Breeders’ Stakes, the final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, a $400,000 turf event that his full brother, British Royalty, won in 2021.

A son of the late English Channel, British Artillery was a stalking second last time out in a one-mile allowance for 3-year-olds with a $50,000 claiming option.

Ryan Munger will ride British Artillery for trainer Barbara Minshall, who won the 2019 Toronto Cup with Armistice Day when it was run over about 1 1/8 miles.

Trainer Kevin Attard entered Canadian Triple Crown nominee Dream Jereem and the lone filly in the lineup, Love to Shop.

Dream Jereem rallied from off a fast pace for second in his first grass outing over six furlongs on the main course Aug. 3.

Love to Shop was a belated third last time out in the slow-paced Ontario Colleen, a Grade 3 mile for 3-year-old fillies July 22.

Completing the field are Souper Blessing and Sammy Stone, who also is nominated to the Triple Crown.

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