Woodbine: Banner Bill pulls away in Victoria Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Banner Bill rallied five wide to win the $156,000 Victoria Stakes going away at Woodbine on Saturday.

Banner Bill ($13.30) survived a claim of foul to take the five-furlong dash for 2-year-olds by 5 3/4 lengths, in a time of 58.60 seconds. Safraction, another local runner, finished second, and the front-running Firefall faded to third. Stark Ravin Mad, the favored shipper from Arlington, was a distant sixth in the seven-horse field.

Distinctly Donovan was eased after being steadied while in tight between rivals heading into the turn. There was no change in the order of finish, after an inquiry that involved him and Banner Bill.

The unbeaten Banner Bill earned $90,000 for R Plus Partners and trainer Ralph Biamonte. It was the fifth Victoria victory for jockey David Clark.

* Jenny’s So Great ($10.90) came from fifth under Jesse Campbell to capture Saturday’s supporting feature, the $101,600 Zadracarta Stakes. Dancing Raven finished second and favored Impossible Time rallied for third in the seven-furlong turf sprint for Ontario-bred females.