Slew Valley victorious in Connaught Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Slew Valley ($5.90) overhauled Le Cinquieme Essai in the final strides to take the Grade 3, $164,400 Connaught Cup Stakes at Woodbine Sunday.

Jim McAleney rode Slew Valley, who stalked the pace from a three-wide position in the mile and a sixteenth turf event. Shoal Water, the 4-5 favorite, set moderate fractions before giving way in mid-stretch to Le Cinquieme Essai. The latter failed to hold off a late surge from Slew Valley, who prevailed by a nose in a final time of 1:40.24. Shoal Water finished three-quarters of a length back in third in the six-horse field.

"He ran a tremendous race," said McAleney. "He's a big-time fighter, who had to get tough the last part of the race."

Slew Valley banked $98,640 in his first start for trainer Reade Baker. A 7-year-old owned by Rich Meadow Farm, Slew Valley was previously based in New York with trainer Gary Sciacca.