Woodbine: Ministers Wild Cat by nose

Ministers Wild Cat edged Judiths Wild Rush by a nose after a stirring stretch battle in Woodbine's opening day feature, the $140,475 Jacques Cartier Stakes.

Ministers Wild Cat, who was briefly on the 2003 Kentucky Derby trail, dueled through the turn with the 4-5 favorite Chris's Bad Boy during fractions of 22.58 and 45.30 seconds.

Judiths Wild Rush commenced a wide rally on the turn and joined the leaders early in the stretch, but couldn't get by Ministers Wild Cat, who covered six furlongs in 1:09.67.

Wando finished 6 1/2 lengths back in third, while Chris's Bad Boy faded to end up fourth in the nine-horse field.

"It was a great effort from my horse," said Todd Kabel, who rode Ministers Wild Cat. "I actually thought that the other horse had won the bob, but my horse dug in hard."

Ministers Wild Cat, trained by Scott Fairlie, earned $83,325.