Tower of Texas back from long break

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Tower of Texas returns from a long layoff on Saturday, when he will try to give trainer Roger Attfield his fourth win in the Grade 2, $175,000 Connaught Cup at Woodbine.

After being gelded, Tower of Texas evolved into one of the leading turf runners at Woodbine over the past two years. In 2015, he captured the Grade 2 King Edward and was beaten a nose in the Grade 2 Play the King. Tower of Texas is probably best known for rounding out the exacta behind the popular champion Tepin in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, which was the highlight of his winless 2016 campaign.

Tower of Texas has been sidelined since a poor showing Oct. 8 in the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.

“He got hurt again last year,” Attfield recalled. “He was given time off in Kentucky. He was turned out. He’s come back again, and he’s doing great. He’s a tough horse. He worked really, really well [Sunday] morning. He’s right on target.”

Eight others were entered in the seven-furlong turf race, including last year’s winner, the out-of-form Dimension.

CONNAUGHT CUP, RACE 8 KEY CONTENDERS

Tower of Texas, by Street Sense Last 3 Beyers: 88-102-94

◗ Attfield, who got hot last weekend, said he’s also eyeing the King Edward here July 2 with the 6-year-old Tower of Texas.

“We’ll take it one day at a time,” Attfield stressed. “He’s come back acting like his old self.”

Commute, by Hold Me Back Last 3 Beyers: 95-102-90

◗ He gave the talented Pink Lloyd a run for his money when second in his season opener in the Jacques Cartier Stakes, after which he won a third-level optional claimer on Tapeta.

“He’s a versatile horse,” said trainer Mark Casse. “We think [this is] the perfect spot for him.”

Calgary Cat, by Cowtown Cat Last 3 Beyers: 94-101-97

◗ The 2014 Canadian champion male sprinter had another productive season last year, during which he took the Grade 2 Nearctic. He was a wide sixth in his season debut in the Elusive Quality Stakes at Belmont.

Glenville Gardens, by Street Cry Last 3 Beyers: 103-83-90

◗ The 2016 Play the King victor was fourth when coming off the bench in last year’s Connaught Cup and is returning from another sabbatical. He appears to be cranked up after breezing fiveeighths from the gate in a rapid 1:00 on Tapeta last Saturday.

Take the Stand, by Not For Sale Last 3 Beyers: 93-83-103

◗ The Bill Mott-trained frontrunner is exiting a second in the one-mile Opening Verse Stakes at Churchill, where he worked an easy half-mile on turf Tuesday.