Woodbine: Banner Bill stays perfect with Colin win

Banner Bill dug in gamely in the final sixteenth to notch his second stakes in a row under David Clark in the $150,000 Colin at Woodbine on Saturday. He is now 3 for 3 in his career.

The Wesley Ward-trained shipper My People, who was favored in the early wagering, set an opening quarter of 22.91 in the six-furlong sprint for 2-year-olds. Banner Bill joined him on the lead heading into the turn, and then hooked up with Town Prize at the top of the stretch before edging away to prevail by a length, in a time of 1:11.12. The Bear Vow was along for second, and Town Prize weakened to third in the five-horse field.

Banner Bill returned $4.90 as the favorite, and banked $90,000 for R Plus Partners.

Banner Bill rallied to win his first two starts, including the $156,000 Victoria Stakes here, but trainer Ralph Biamonte said the lack of pace in the Colin led to a more forward approach.

“We didn’t want to be so close to the lead, but nobody else wanted it,” Biamonte said. “David said when he got there, he pinned his ears, wondering what was going on. He runs better when he has something to run at.”