How to bet the Connaught Cup Stakes

A talented cast of 10 will travel seven-eighths on the Woodbine turf in Sunday's $175,000 Connaught Cup S. (G2). The pair of morning-line choices are each speedy sorts, and with additional pace also in the contest, I could see a horse rallying from off the early tempo to record an upset. 

Connaught Cup Wagers

• $12 win and place #8 Cruden Bay ($24)
• $10 exacta box 4-8 ($20)
• $3 exacta box 1-8 ($6)

Defending champ #8 Cruden Bay (9-2) has evolved into a good one for conditioner Donald MacRae over time and will make his 2025 debut in this spot. By Big Screen, the seven-year-old gelding had an abbreviated 2024 campaign with just three starts, but he won two of them when posting triple-digit Brisnet Late Pace figures on each occasion. He was left with too much to do in the stretch in his seasonal finale when fifth in the King Edward S. (G2), but the three-time local victor has trained well in preparation for his seasonal debut and was a sharp winner the last time that he raced off a long absence. Cruden Bay will be unhurried in the early stages of the tilt prior to being asked for his best approaching the turn for home by Fraser Aebly. 

Mrs. Revere S. (G2) heroine #4 Kehoe Beach (9-5) is swiftest from the gate in this encounter and has run a pair of big races from as many tries in 2025. The Wesley Ward pupil led turning for home and was stubborn late when third, beaten by one length, in the Jenny Wiley S. (G1) at Keeneland in April. In her second run of the year, the daughter of Omaha Beach led late before ultimately falling two lengths shy in the Just A Game S. (G1) at Saratoga on June 6. The four-year-old bay should appreciate the cut back to seven panels as the deserving favorite while facing the boys beneath John Velazquez. 

Cherie DeVaux’s #1 Northern Invader (3-1) has been consistently good and will be forwardly placed from the break while making his local bow. The Collected five-year-old comes off of a measured allowance victory beneath the Twin Spires most recently, and the chestnut gelding is another who might thrive moving back to a sprint distance in the field, as well. Excellent local pilot Rafael Hernandez will take the reins.