Woodbine: Stormy Lord foils Grand Adventure's bid for repeat in Connaught Cup

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Stormy Lord led throughout the Grade 2, $168,900 Connaught Cup Stakes on Sunday at Woodbine, while upsetting 2-5 shot Grand Adventure, last year’s winner of the seven-furlong turf sprint.

Stormy Lord set moderate fractions over a course labeled soft in the first grass stakes of the meet, as Macias and Grand Adventure stalked him on the turn. Grand Adventure seemed poised to pounce at the top of the stretch, but Stormy Lord kept on going to score by three lengths, in a time 1:25.72.

Hailstone rallied from far back to nail Grand Adventure on the wire for second. Macias trailed in a field reduced to four with the scratches of Woodbourne, Hollinger, Signature Red, and Artic Fern.

Jockey Jim McAleney said Stormy Lord handled the course beautifully.

“It was a little bit soft or yielding, but [Stormy Lord] got through it very well,” said McAleney. “He’s a tremendous competitor. He likes to win, and he loves his job.”

Only win and exacta wagering was offered, and Stormy Lord returned $11.90, while earning $113,400 for Hat Trick Stable and Kinghaven Farm.

Stormy Lord gave trainer Ian Black a sweep of Woodbine’s weekend stakes. He also won Saturday’s Grade 3 Eclipse with Fifty Proof, who is owned in part by Kinghaven.