The $175,000 bet365 Connaught Cup Stakes (G2T) returns to Woodbine Racetrack on Sunday, July 20, 2025, as Race 7 on the card. Post time is set for 4:10 PM ET, and the race covers seven furlongs on the E.P. Taylor turf course for three-year-olds and upward. With a field of 10 contenders, this Grade II sprint features returning champions, graded stakes winners, and pedigrees built for turf brilliance and closing power.
Contenders & Horse Profiles
| Post | Horse Name | Pedigree | Trainer | Jockey |
| 1 | Northern Invader | Collected – Androeah | Cherie DeVaux | Rafael Hernandez |
| 2 | Shards | Bucchero – Cynthia’s Fury | Kelsey Danner | Sofia Vives |
| 3 | Sky’s Not Falling | Seville (GER) – Sky Copper | Michael Trombetta | Jalon Samuel |
| 4 | Kehoe Beach | Omaha Beach – Sweet Awakening | Wesley Ward | John Velazquez |
| 5 | Lucky Score | Lookin At Lucky – Miss Matzo | Mark Casse | Sahin Civaci |
| 6 | Piper’s Factor | The Factor – Pipers Future | Katerina Vassilieva | Patrick Husbands |
| 7 | Twin City | Klimt – Minnie Apple Is | Stuart Simon | Jose Campos |
| 8 | Cruden Bay | Big Screen – Executive Affair | Don MacRae | Fraser Aebly |
| 9 | Crumlin Lad | Sharp Azteca – Lavender’s Spirit | Alexander Patykewich | Amanda Vandermeersch |
| 10 | I’m A Gambler (IRE) | No Nay Never – We Are Ninety (IRE) | Kevin Attard | Pietro Moran |
Pedigree Insights & Turf Sprint Potential
Cruden Bay, by Big Screen, returns as the defending Connaught Cup champion, known for his powerful late kick and Ontario-bred turf stamina. Kehoe Beach, by Omaha Beach, is a rising turf star with graded stakes credentials and a pedigree built for speed and class. Northern Invader, by Collected, brings a strong turf record and a recent win at Churchill Downs, showcasing tactical versatility. Lucky Score, by Lookin At Lucky, is a multiple graded stakes winner with a sharp closing style and proven Woodbine form. I’m A Gambler (IRE), by No Nay Never, adds international flair and has hit the board in three of his last four starts. Piper’s Factor, by The Factor, is a Chiefswood homebred with stakes experience and a pedigree built for turf acceleration.
Jockey & Trainer Matchups to Watch
John Velazquez (Kehoe Beach) and Wesley Ward are a formidable duo, especially in turf sprints. Patrick Husbands (Piper’s Factor) and Katerina Vassilieva have teamed up for multiple stakes wins at Woodbine. Fraser Aebly (Cruden Bay) returns aboard the defending champ, who has been working aggressively in preparation for this race. Rafael Hernandez (Northern Invader) is one of Woodbine’s top turf riders and could control the pace from the rail.
Recent Form & Speed Figures
| Horse Name | Last Race Result | Notable Finish | Surface | Distance |
| Cruden Bay | 5th in King Edward Stakes (G2T) | Late run | Turf | 1 mile |
| Kehoe Beach | 4th in Dynamic Pricing Stakes | Set pace | Turf | 1 mile |
| Lucky Score | 1st @ Woodbine (7f) | Strong close | Turf | 7f |
| Northern Invader | 1st @ Churchill Downs (1m) | Dug in late | Turf | 1 mile |
| Piper’s Factor | 8th @ Woodbine (1m) | Faded late | Turf | 1 mile |
| I’m A Gambler (IRE) | 3rd @ Woodbine (6f) | Outgamed late | Turf | 6f |
Predicted Finish & Strategy
Winner: Kehoe Beach – tactical speed, top connections, improving form
Place: Cruden Bay – defending champ, strong late kick, fresh off layoff
Show: Northern Invader – sharp recent win, rail draw, versatile style
