Dream Shake survives foul claim and wins Connaught Cup

Michael Stidham trainee Dream Shake notched his second straight score at Woodbine, taking Sunday’s Grade 2, $175,000 Connaught Cup at Woodbine.

With Rafael Hernandez in the irons, Dream Shake broke sharply and tracked longshot leader Roaring Forties from second through early opening splits of 22.92 and 45.23 seconds in the seven-furlong trek for 3-year-olds and up over a firm E.P. Taylor Turf, as Bound for Nowhere, supplemented to the race, was positioned third. 

Dream Shake, a 5-year-old son of Twirling Candy-Even Song was given his cue by Hernandez as the field came off the turn for home and Dream Shake responded by striking front in early stretch, with a host of rivals quickly closing in on from all sides.

Dream Shake, who arrived at the Connaught Cup off a 1 1/4-length triumph over seven furlongs on the Woodbine Tapeta (the race was originally scheduled for the grass), wouldn’t be denied in the late going, fending off War Bomber to win by a length. Lucky Score, a further head back, bested 2-1 choice Churchtown by a nose for third.

A rider’s claim of foul against the winner was disallowed. The final time was 1:20.33. 

It was the first stakes crown for the multiple graded stakes-placed dark bay gelding, who won his debut at Santa Anita on February 7, 2021.

With the win, Dream Shake, owned by Exline-Border Racing LLC, Peter Eurton, Richard Hausman, and Stonestreet Stables LLC, and bred in Kentucky by Dunwoody Farm, is now 4-1-2 from 12 lifetime starts.

He paid $22.10 for the win. Luckman was scratched.