Woodbine: Something Extra repeats in Connaught Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Something Extra won the Grade 2 Connaught Cup for the second year in a row, giving jockey Eurico Da Silva a sweep of Sunday’s two stakes at Woodbine.

Something Extra ($4.20) went straight to the lead and set quick fractions of 22.64 seconds and 45.09 in the seven-furlong turf sprint. Several rivals took a run at him in the stretch, but he held on to prevail by three-quarters of a length over Riding the River, last year’s Canadian champion male turf horse.

Upgrade finished another neck back in third, and Valentino Beauty was fourth in a field reduced to nine with the scratch of Artest. The final time was 1:20.54.

“When I warmed him up, he was so relaxed,” said Da Silva, who also won Sunday’s Marine Stakes on Up With the Birds. “He broke so sharp and was there to run. When they opened the doors, he wanted to be home quick. That’s what he did. I knew he was going fast, but he was very happy. He enjoyed himself.”

Something Extra collected $120,000 of the $201,600 purse for the partnership of John Menary and trainer Gail Cox.