Sept 18, 2026 – Sluggernaut rewarded Canuck Racing Club’s patience with a strong closing performance at Woodbine on September 18, rallying from mid-pack to capture Race 6 by 1.75 lengths over 1 1/8 miles on the Tapeta.
Sluggernaut is named after Canadian baseball legend Larry Walker, a three-time Silver Slugger winner and five-time MLB All-Star.
Trained by Kevin Attard and ridden by Rafael Hernandez, the four-year-old gelding entered the seven-horse optional $40,000 claiming/NW3L event at odds of 5.10-1 – despite moving up a condition and opting to forgo racing non-winners of two in order to take on non-winners of three.
Jockey Raphael Hernandez allowed Sluggernaut to settle inside in mid-pack as Spun Around established the early lead through fractions of 24.68 and 50.16. Sprung Loose remained close to the pace and eventually engaged the leader, while Sluggernaut stayed within striking distance before Hernandez began asking him to advance late on the far turn.
Turning for home, Hernandez angled Sluggernaut six wide to find clear running room. Sprung Loose took command near the sixteenth pole after battling Spun Around, but Sluggernaut was building momentum on the outside and surged past both rivals late.
He crossed the wire 1.75 lengths clear of Sprung Loose, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:52.24. Spun Around finished third.
The victory also produced a career-best 86 eSpeed for Sluggernaut, providing another measure of the progress he has made while being given time to develop.
