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Trainer Josie Carroll leads Avie's Flatter with jockey Luis Contreras aboard to the winner's circle after the 2021 Connaught Cup Stakes |
The first stakes race on the Woodbine turf for 2021 was the $175,000 Connaught Cup Stakes (G2) featuring older horses sprinting 7 furlongs in a very early prep for the Woodbine Mile (G1). Conditions were excellent at the historic Toronto oval, with partly cloudy skies and a race time temperature of 29 C (84 F). The temporary rail on the E.P. Taylor course was set out in Lane 3 (30 feet out) and the GoingStick reading was 10.4 (good-to-firm).
A field of 8 went to post with Avie's Flatter sent off as the 9-5 favorite off an allowance win in his 2021 debut on June 13 after finishing 4th in the Seagram Cup (G3) last July. In to challenge him included 7-2 second choice Chuck Willis, winner of 4 straight including an overnight handicap at Gulfstream last out, and 4-1 third choice Olympic Runner, 7th in the Seek Again at Belmont.
The stretch run with winner Avie's Flatter in front. |
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 1 Avie's Flatter Contreras 5.60 3.20 2.50 3 Olympic Runner Hernandez 4.80 3.50 5 Proven Strategies Wilson 8.40 Winning Time: 1:20.99 $1 Exacta 1-3 11.80 $1 Trifecta 1-3-5 109.05 $1 Superfecta 1-3-5-6 525.10Full results chart from DRF
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Left: Avie's Flatter in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Josie Carroll said, "That's what's really nice about him – we do have those options (to run on either turf or Tapeta) I think we'll just see how things develop and try and place him in the best spots we can."
Right: Avie's Flatter heads back to the barn after the race. Carroll added, "This is a really special horse and it's very exciting for us because he's finally come back to himself. He had a bit of an off year last year and he's just a monster this year. He's so happy. We came into this race very confident but respectful of the kind of horses that were in here."
Left: Avie's Flatter walks over before the race. Winning jockey Luis Contreras said, "I got a great trip. He broke really sharp and I just wanted to sit behind the speed, and he was just dragging me the whole way. A win is a win and he runs good whatever the surface is."
Right: Avie's Flatter in the post parade.
Left: Second place finisher Olympic Runner returns after the race. The Mark Casse trainee improved his record to 4 wins, 7 seconds, and 2 thirds in 22 starts, earning $335,553 for owner Gary Barber.
Right: Third place finisher Proven Strategies heads to the track before the race. The Mark Casse trainee improved his record to 4 wins, 3 seconds, and 2 thirds in 17 starts, earning $247,764 for owners D.J. Stable and Empire Racing Club.
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