Fall Highweight at Aqueduct possible for Calgary Cat

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Kevin Attard-trained duo of Calgary Cat and Melmich have returned to Woodbine after running on the Breeders’ Cup cards Nov. 4-5 at Santa Anita.

Calgary Cat was Attard’s first Breeders’ Cup starter when he finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 5. He rallied from well off the pace along the outside to finish 2 1/4 lengths behind winner Obviously.

“I was extremely happy,” Attard said. “He ran really well. He closed a lot of ground. I don’t think I could ask for much more.”

What’s next for Calgary Cat? Attard said the 6-year-old gelding might make one more start this season, perhaps in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap over six furlongs on dirt at Aqueduct on Nov. 24.

“He’s been training well over the dirt, and it might be time to try the dirt to see where we’re at,” he said. “That way for next year we can knock out a good game plan for him.”

Attard said he expected Calgary Cat’s next start would be decided this week.

Melmich finished fourth in the Marathon Stakes on Nov. 4. Attard said Melmich would be pointed toward the Grade 3, $150,000 Valedictory Stakes over 1 3/4 miles on the Tapeta on the Dec. 4 closing day. Melmich won last year’s Valedictory with a career-best 102 Beyer.