El Tormenta prevails in Connaught Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – A determined El Tormenta ($16.70) held off the favorites in the final furlong to take the Grade 2 Connaught Cup Stakes under Luis Contreras at Woodbine Saturday.

Longshots Shakhimat and Hold’emforransom dueled through quick fractions over the firm turf, as El Tormenta raced in midpack through the turn in the seven-furlong event.

El Tormenta found room between rivals early in the stretch, and then kicked in strongly to hold off Emmaus for a neck score in a time of 1:20.29.

Curlin’s Honor finished a close third, and was followed by Yorkton, who was made the 2-1 favorite late over Emmaus. Savage Battle, Hold’emforransom, and Shakhimat completed the order of finish.

Trainer Gail Cox said the Stormy Atlantic gelding El Tormenta has evolved into a more relaxed runner this year at 4.

“He’s been a really nice horse to have and train, but he was just so speedy last year,” Cox said. “It was hard to get him to settle. He certainly did today. I think he’s just a little more mature this year. He was a two-other-than horse. This was a big, big step up for him.”

El Tormenta banked $126,000 of the $198,450 purse for Sam-Son Farm, which has won the Connaught Cup seven times.