TORONTO, September 12, 2021 – War Bomber (IRE), at odds of 19-1, drew away down the lane to pull off the upset in Sunday’s $134,800 Toronto Cup, contested over Woodbine’s E.P. Taylor Turf Course. Leaving from post three, War Bomber, a three-year-old gelded son of War Front, was positioned in fourth along the rail by jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, as the trio of Azzurro, Barnegat Light and 9-5 choice Gretzky the Great tussled over the early lead, with Azzurro eventually striking front, then taking his eight rivals through an opening quarter-mile timed in :23.69. War Bomber winning the 2021 edition of the Toronto Cup. (Michael Burns Photo). The 49-1 outsider continued to set the pace through a half in :46.74, with Barnegat Light second, Gretzky the Great in third, and War Bomber nestled in fourth, waiting for his cue from Bridgmohan. As the field rounded the turn for home, a pair of contending closers, Riptide Rock, second in the Queen’s Plate, and the ultra-consistent Artie’s Storm, began to pick up momentum, while Bridgmohan found a seam and roused War Bomber to the front. Arriving at the Toronto Cup on a two-race win streak, War Bomber easily rebuffed all challengers, going on to record a two-length triumph in a time of 1:34.14 over firm ground. Artie’s Storm was second, Riptide Rock was third and Gretzky the Great finished fourth. “I had a beautiful trip,” said Bridgmohan. “There was a little bit of speed in there and I opted to follow, obviously, at the end, try to find him clear daylight. 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.” Trained by Norm McKnight for owner Bruno Schickedanz, War Bomber, making his stakes debut, now has three wins from five career starts. Unraced at two, he launched his career with a tenth-place finish at Gulfstream in March, finishing seventh next time out at Woodbine. The bay paid $41.30 for the win. Share This:Share
