Euro import Emmaus prepped for Connaught Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Having won the Grade 2 Connaught Cup with Dimension in 2016, Kentucky-based trainer Conor Murphy is no stranger to Woodbine. He has shipped in the European import Emmaus for this year’s edition of the seven-furlong turf stakes on Saturday.

Emmaus won his debut at 2 in 2016 in England and eventually won two seven-furlong events at Leicester, including a stakes. Last summer, he was a minor player in Group 3 company in England and France before dropping a nose decision in a stakes at Redcar in October.

Off a seven-month layoff April 27 at Belmont, Emmaus rallied from fifth to finish a close second in the seven-furlong Elusive Quality Stakes over yielding ground, his first try for Murphy.

The $175,000 Connaught Cup heads a 10-race card that also incudes the $125,000 Greenwood Stakes, which was originally on the portion of last Saturday’s card that was canceled due to inclement weather.

KEY CONTENDERS

Emmaus, by Invincible Spirit
Beyer: 96

◗ David Moran, who rode Dimension in most of his visits to Woodbine, has the mount on the Irish-bred 5-year-old, who is co-owned by Murphy.

Yorkton, by Speightstown
Last 3 Beyers: 80-93-97

◗ He was softened up in a speed duel in his season opener in the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier on the Tapeta. He endured a heartbreaking loss in his last turf start here Oct. 13 in the Grade 2 Nearctic, leading until the last jump after his rider dropped his whip.

Curlin’s Honor, by Curlin
Last 3 Beyers: 93-78-85

The $1.5 million 2-year-old purchase looked like a vastly improved runner in the six-furlong Jacques Cartier, rallying for third in his second 4-year-old outing.

Pink Lloyd in Greenwood Stakes

The horses were on the track for this six-furlong event when stormy weather rolled in quickly. They took shelter in the former Standardbred barn before the race was called off, with Pink Lloyd the odds-on favorite.

Trainer Robert Tiller was happy with the way that the popular Pink Lloyd handled the ordeal.

“He handled it better than me,” Tiller joked. “He just thought he was going home after he left the harness barn. As long as his issues don’t return, he’s going to be fine. He’s carrying [high] weight all the time, and you need a trip, but I’m very confident that he’ll run his race.”

Pink Lloyd, the 2017 Canadian Horse of the Year, won the Jacques Cartier for the third year in a row in his season opener.

Tiller also entered Circle of Friends, who was seventh in the Jacques Carter after winning a second-level optional claimer.

“He’s in good order,” Tiller said. “I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he was right there.”