Calgary Cat claim pays off with Bold Venture win

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Kevin Attard and owners Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman claimed Calgary Cat for $25,000 last November, and that claim has paid off handsomely this season, culminating in Calgary Cat’s win in the Grade 3, $160,500 Bold Venture Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday.

“We had two horses picked out to go look at that day, so [the owners] left the decision up to me,” Attard said. “We had two slips filled out, and I looked at them both. [Calgary Cat] was a physically good-looking individual, and we dropped the slip on him. Obviously, it’s worked out in our favor.”

After being given the winter off, Calgary Cat has won four of his five starts this year and stepped up to win his first career graded stakes on Saturday.

“He’s had a good year,” Attard said. “He’s trained really forwardly this year. From the springtime we had some high hopes for him because he was training really well. I think we’ve spotted him right, brought him along nicely, and it’s all paying off.”

Attard said a switch back to turf would likely be in order for Calgary Cat, who could make his next start in the Grade 2 Nearctic Stakes here on Oct. 19.

“I do think he’s a better turf horse,” he said. “His last turf race especially was pretty impressive I thought. We’re going to give it a few days and see how he comes out of this race and take it from there. But definitely the Nearctic is on the map.”