Anarchist Captures Jacques Cartier for Ilium Stables
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Photo: Michael Burns
Anarchist wins the Jacques Cartier at Woodbine Racetrack
After a series of runner-up finishes, Anarchist broke through with a splendid effort in the $152,100 Jacques Cartier Stakes (G3) May 14 at Woodbine.
Ridden by Luis Contreras, the bay colt, who went off as the 5-2 favorite in the six-furlong race for 4-year-olds and up, showed plenty of gumption down the lane to win by three-quarters of a length in his first test over the Toronto oval's Tapeta.
Breaking sharply from the outside post eight, Anarchist was joined on the front end by Arzak as the pair led the proceedings through early splits of :22.82 and :45.17.
The battle between the frontrunners continued as the field made its way into the turn for home, with Anarchist eventually gaining the advantage. A length ahead at the stretch call, Anarchist and Contreras then braced for the challenges of a trio of rallying rivals but were easily able to fend off their pursuers in the late running.
The final time was 1:08.96. Anarchist paid $7.70 for the win.
"He's a very strong and powerful horse," praised Contreras. "I had no troubles in the race. He broke perfect. I had so much horse the whole way. He did really well. I'm so pleased."
It was the first stakes victory for the son of Distorted Humor—Vicarious Won , who was bred in Kentucky by Centaur Farms. Anarchist arrived at the Jacques Cartier off of four straight seconds, including the San Simeon Stakes (G3) March 5 and the Kona Gold Stakes (G3) April 22, both run at Santa Anita Park. This was his first start with conditioner Josie Carroll. He now sits on a record of 2-5-0 in nine starts with earnings of $180,508.
"There was a lot of concern," said Angelo Freda of Ilium Stables, of Anarchist trying the synthetic surface for the first time in race action. "I had to fight off a lot of people. But I had faith. I knew Josie was going to take care of him and I knew she would give him a run over the track and if he couldn't do it, she would have told me. I had confidence in Josie."
Ice Chocolat was second, followed by Old Chestnut , Candy Overload , Ironstone , Arzak, Ready for a Fight , and Red River Rebel .