Bridgmohan claims first Woodbine stakes win

September 14, 2021
Shaun Bridgmohan
Shaun Bridgmohan

TORONTO, Canada, CMC:

Jamaican Shaun Bridgmohan pulled off an upset in Sunday's $134,800 Toronto Cup when he piloted 19-1 outsider War Bomber to an impressive win in the co-feature at Woodbine.

Up against the three-year-olds, Bridgmohan stalked with the bay gelding for most of the mile trip before moving into contention in the stretch, dismissing a challenge from 8-5 favourite Gretzky the Great, before hitting the wire two lengths clear in a time of one minute, 34.14 seconds.

Two-to-one chance Artie's Storm came home second while another 2-1 bet Riptide Rock was third, with Gretzky the Great fading to finish fourth.

"I had a beautiful trip. There was a little bit of speed in there and I opted to follow, obviously, at the end, try to find him clear daylight," said the 42-year-old, better known for his exploits in the United States.

"Once I did and I pointed him for a hole, he just went. He's a pretty talented horse and when he took off, he really took off. I knew there would have to be a horse flying to come and catch him."

Barnegat Light, in at odds of 21-1, and 49-1 bet Azzurro, accompanied each other through the early stages, posting lazy fractions of 23.69 seconds for the quarter and 46.74 for the half, with Gretzky the Great eyeing them from third and Bridgmohan positioning stakes debutant War Bomber in mid-pack.

Coming off the final turn, Gretzky the Great surged to the front to pick up the running with Barnegat Light, Riptide Rock and Lenny K all challenging.

Struggling for racing room in the early stretch, Bridgmohan found a seam when space opened up and engaged Gretzky the Great briefly before storming to the wire.

The stakes win was the first at Woodbine for Bridgmohan who moved his tack to Canada this season following several years at Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds in the American south.

"I did take a gamble hoping to have better opportunities to ride here. It's slowly getting there and a win like this surely helps," said Bridgmohan.

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