Calgary Cat wins first stakes in Bold Venture

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Calgary Cat, a $25,000 claim by trainer Kevin Attard last November, won his first stakes Saturday at Woodbine in the Grade 3 Bold Venture.

Calgary Cat ($14.50) saved ground in fifth on the turn under Eurico Rosa Da Silva while Bear No Joke set honest fractions in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint.

Da Silva angled Calgary Cat off the rail in the stretch, and they cruised by runner-up Bear No Joke before drawing away for a three-length score in 1:14.91, which was 0.41 seconds off the Polytrack record. Lukewarm favorite Black Hornet nosed out Alpha Bettor for third in the 11-horse field.

“He has tactical speed,” Da Silva said. “He followed the pace pretty easily. When you ask him, he gives a very strong kick. When he kicks, it’s a beautiful feeling.”

Calgary Cat earned $90,000 of the $160,500 purse for the partnership of Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman.