2022 Connaught Cup Stakes Exotics Wagers

A massive field of 14 will go postward in Saturday’s $175,000 Connaught Cup S. (G2) at Woodbine. The seven-furlong turf test appears to be a very good betting event, and I will spread my tickets with a few contenders as it is difficult for me to land on just one of the entrants.

I have liked #1 March to the Arch (10-1) for a long time and will use the Casse pupil in numerous plays. The gelded son of Arch dons a strong 6-3-1-1 mark on the course and might benefit from the inner post slot to save ground throughout under Patrick Husbands.

Unraced following an unplaced effort in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) in the winter, the proven miler has run well off of similar layoffs in the past, and I think that the trip will be ideal for him while making his first start since January. The bay is worth playing at a generous morning-line number.

#13 Avie’s Flatter (10-1) won this race last season and will take a big step forward on Saturday when making his second run of 2022. The Josie Carroll trainee has a lot of back class, being twice classic-placed. He is a three-time local victor, and runs for a conditioner who is excellent second time off the shelf. Luis Contreras will guide the stalker.

Grade 1 winner #9 Silent Poet (8-1) is 10-for-18 on the surface and has early speed in a field lacking it. The Silent Name gelding ran well when beaten by two lengths in the Highlander S. (G1) most recently and will benefit from getting another furlong to work with in this endeavor. The Stronach homebred will be prompting the pace from the opening bell with Justin Stein in the controls.

#14 Shirl’s Speight (3-1), winner of the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) in April, is an obvious inclusion for conditioner Roger Attfield. The well-related five-year-old is hard to fall in love with as the morning-line choice from the widest post, but he is surely classy and can’t be omitted with Emma-Jayne Wilson in the controls.

Connaught Cup Exotics Wagers

• $2 exacta: box 1, 9, 13, 14 ($24)
• $1 trifecta: box 1, 9, 13, 14 ($24)
• 20-cent superfecta: 1 with 9, 13, 14 with 9, 13, 14 with all ($13.20)