Calgary Cat Sizzles in Kennedy Road Triumph
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Favored Calgary Cat made a strong case for a Sovereign Award as Canada's top sprinter Nov. 23 with a dazzling finish to win going away in the $184,471 Kennedy Road Stakes (Can-II) at Woodbine.
The two-length victory was the fifth in seven starts at the Toronto track this meet for the former $25,000 claimer who also captured the Bold Venture Stakes (Can-III) Sept. 13.
The 3-2 pick, Calgary Cat was last in the field of eight rounding the turn. The solid chestnut gelding unleashed a torrid stretch run to take command at the sixteenth pole en route to a comfortable victory with Eurico Rosa Da Silva aboard.
Calgary Cat arrived at the Kennedy Road from a third-place finish in the grassy Nearctic Stakes (gr. IIT) Oct. 19, beaten by one length as a lukewarm 3-1 favorite.
"I was shocked he lost on the turf last time, but he got the job done today," said Da Silva. "He's the real deal."
Trained by Kevin Attard for owners Stephen Chesney and Cory S. Hoffman, Calgary Cat ran six furlongs in a sizzling 1:08.46 over the Polytrack.
"He trained exceptionally well from the spring time, but I honestly didn't believe he was going to be a grade II winner at that point," said Attard. "We thought he had a good season ahead and we did it the right way. He went through his conditions, got his confidence, and he's really developed into a great horse.
"There was a lot on the line today and I was happy to see Sharp Sensation (entered), as he's been getting a lot of press about being champion sprinter. But I think today it was decided that Calgary Cat is the top sprinter."
Sharp Sensation, one of four starters in the Kennedy Road for trainer Reade Baker, finished second. The Baker-trained Bear No Joke, who won last year's Kennedy Road, was disqualified from third and placed fourth behind Black Hornet for interfering with that rival in the stretch.
A 4-year-old gelding by Cowtown Cat out of the A.P. Indy mare Big Sink Star, Calgary Cat was bred in Ontario by WinStar Farm. He was previously owned by John C. Oxley before being claimed by his current connections last November at Woodbine.
Calgary Cat dropped to the back of the field while racing close to the rail as Go Blue Or Go Home, breaking fast from the inside post, went straight to the lead. Go Blue Or Go Home blazed through an opening quarter mile in :21.90 while leading Sparrowhawk and Black Hornet and reached the quarter pole in :44.15 still in front of Black Hornet by 1 1/2 lengths as Bear No Joke moved into contention.
Last at that point as he was being angled to the outside by Da Silva, Calgary Cat was soon in hot pursuit as Go Blue Or Go Home continued to lead by one length to midstretch. Sharp Sensation, with Jesse Campbell aboard, had aim at the leaders in the final furlong but was no match for the surging Calgary Cat, who was ridden out by Da Silva after flashing past the leaders.
Sharp Sensation was all-out to get second by half a length over Bear No Joke, ridden by Patrick Husbands. Bear No Joke was a nose in front of Black Hornet at the wire, but Justin Stein, aboard Black Hornet, claimed foul against Bear No Joke for interference a furlong out. Stewards conducted an inquiry before deciding to make a change.
Go Blue Or Go Home was fifth, followed by Stacked Deck, Jose Sea View, and Sparrowhawk.
Calgary Cat, carrying 119 pounds, earned $106,836 for his seventh lifetime win in 15 starts. He has career earnings of $422,016.
The winner paid $5, $3, and $2.30, keying a $19.50 exacta with 5-2 second choice Sharp Sensation, who returned $3.20 and $2.80. Black Hornet paid $3.20.