Tower of Texas pointing to King Edward

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Making his first start since last October’s Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland, Tower of Texas got up in time to win Saturday’s Grade 2 Connaught Cup over seven furlongs on turf under leading rider Eurico Da Silva. He will now proceed to the Grade 2, $175,000 King Edward Stakes over one mile on turf on the Queen’s Plate card here July 2.

Trainer Roger Attfield said he was pleased with Tower of Texas’s performance off the layoff.

“It was a nice,” he said. “He’s a tough little critter, that one. He got in a little trouble there. I thought he was going to get another second, but he’s a real competitor.”

Attfield said Tower of Texas got some time off after being injured late last season but added that the horse had been training well coming into the Connaught Cup.

“He got hurt again last year,” he said. “He was given time off in Kentucky. He’s come back acting like his old self.”

If all goes well, Tower of Texas could target the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile in September, a race in which he finished second to Tepin last season. For now, Attfield said, he will take it race by race.

“Obviously, that would be nice, but we’ll play it one race at a time,” he said.