Spooky Channel Holds On in Connally Turf Cup
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Photo: Coady Photography
Spooky Channel wins the John B. Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston Race Park
Terry Hamilton's Spooky Channel notched his second graded stakes victory in his 6-year-old debut Jan. 31, holding off a late charge from Ajourneytofreedom to take the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes (G3T) by a neck at Sam Houston Race Park.
The son of English Channel had returned from a five-month layoff in his last start, the Dec. 12 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park, where he finished fourth. He paid $5.00 in the Connally as the 3-2 favorite.
Regular rider Julien Leparoux, the same jockey to guide Spooky Channel to victory in the 2020 W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream for trainer Brian Lynch, was back aboard for the 1 1/2-mile Connally Turf Cup. The pair broke from post 10 of 12 and Leparoux settled his mount three wide. Spooky Channel was fourth through the opening quarter-mile, fifth at the half-mile, and up to third a mile in. Conviction Trade set the pace with fractions of :24.57, :48.97, 1:14, and 1:40.52 through that point.
Spooky Channel was into second only a half-length off the lead at the quarter pole. While Conviction Trade initially held his lead into the stretch, Spooky Channel drove to the front to take over. But a victory was not guaranteed as Ajourneytofreedom, who had been seventh at the quarter pole, rallied down the outside and quickly made up ground. Spooky Channel dug in for a narrow victory over his late-closing rival and completed the distance in 2:30.94 on firm turf.
Spooky Channel wins the John B. Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston Race Park
Ajourneytofreedom was second by a length over Conviction Trade, who held for third. Tenfold rallied from last for fourth, followed by Signalman, Celerity, Strong Tide, Henley's Joy, Marzo, Changi, Vettori Kin, and Tut's Revenge.
Spooky Channel was bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm as the first foal out of the multiple stakes-placed Kitten's Joy mare Spooky Kitten, dam of two winners—both by English Channel—from three starters. Spooky Kitten also has the unraced 3-year-old filly Mosquetera (Musketier) and another yearling filly by English Channel. She was reported bred again to English Channel for 2021.
Hamilton, with Alistair Roden Bloodstock as agent, purchased Spooky Channel for $10,000 from the Paramount Sales consignment to the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale. The horse began his career with trainer Clay Brinson at Turf Paradise, where he won three handicap races, before moved to Lynch in the summer of 2019.
From 18 career starts, Spooky Channel holds a 9-2-0 record with earnings of $395,022.