Champion sprinter Calgary Cat captures Jacques Cartier

ETOBICOKE, Ontario—The popular favorite Calgary Cat collared front-runner Parise in deep stretch to capture the $132,300 Jacques Cartier at Woodbine on Sunday.

Calgary Cat, last year’s Canadian champion male sprinter, saved ground in fourth on the turn in the six-furlong event. Parise, making his first start in a year, set rapid splits of 21.82 and 44.18 seconds. Calgary Cat began to close in on the leader early in the stretch, before getting up to score by a half-length, in 1:08.98.

Eurico Da Silva got a leg up from trainer Kevin Attard on Calgary Cat, who paid $4.70 and earned $75,000 for owners Stephen Chesney and Cory Hoffman.

“It was a great race,” said Attard. “At the top of the lane, I wasn’t sure if we were going to run down Parise. My hat’s off to that horse. He really ran his eyeballs out, coming off such a long layoff. Calgary Cat is just really special. I’m glad to see him come back after such a great year last year and regain his form.”

Puntrooskie took the overland route while closing belatedly for third in the quality 10-horse field. He was followed by Black Hornet, Pablo Del Monte, Bear No Joke, Bye Bye Bernie, Jose Sea View, Choctaw Chuck, and Stacked Deck.