Sterwins catches Rahy's Attorney

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Sterwins nailed favored Rahy's Attorney on the wire to capture the Grade 3, $173,300 Connaught Cup Stakes at Woodbine Sunday.

Sterwins shattered the course record in the 1 1/16-mile route, covering the distance in 1:38.99, which was .21 of a second faster than the previous record set by Jet Freighter in 1995.

Rahy's Attorney, last year's Connaught Cup winner, set a slow opening quarter of 24.34, before getting the half-mile fraction in 46.94. Sterwins raced five lengths off the lead at the back of the pack heading into the turn, and then commenced a wide rally at the head of the stretch to prevail by a head. Society's Chairman closed for third in the seven-horse field.

"I had a perfect trip," said Patrick Husbands, who rode Sterwins for trainer Malcolm Pierce. "When I set him down, he gave me everything he had. He ran a big race today."

Sterwins returned $8.80 as the third choice, and banked $103,500 for Melnyk Racing Stable.