Honolua Storm in $75 upset

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Outsider Honolua Storm ($75) held three rivals at bay through the stretch in a front-running victory in the Grade 3, $166,050 Eclipse Handicap at Woodbine on Monday.

Honolua Storm set slow fractions of 24.06 seconds, 47.90, and 1:12.40 on an uncontested lead in the 1 1/16-mile event. Cuba, Judiths Wild Rush, and A Bit O'Gold all loomed into contention inside the quarter pole, but Honolua Storm held his ground and prevailed by a neck in a quick 1:43.77.

Cuba finished a half-length in front of Judiths Wild Rush in second, while A Bit O'Gold faded in the final sixteenth to end up fourth. The favorite, Mobil, was a nonthreatening sixth in the eight-horse field.

Gerry Olguin, who rode Honolua Storm, said everything worked out perfectly for him.

"I was loving it [on the lead]," he said. "When they came to him at the head of the lane, he responded very well."

Honolua Storm earned $98,910 in his first stakes tally. Bill Werner owns the gelding in partnership with trainer Roger Attfield.