Flag of Honour (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon/Woodbine Communications
TORONTO— Flag Of Honour (AUS) took all the spoils in the $135,000 Jacques Cartier Stakes (G3), a six-furlong main track race for 4-year-olds and up, Saturday at Woodbine.
Trained by Julia Carey, the 5-year-old son of American Pharoah-Godiva Rock (AUS) broke alertly under Kazushi Kimura and then seized the lead a few strides before the opening quarter reached in :23.37.
Still on top through a half in :45.90, Flag Of Honour was engaged by Step Forward into the turn for home but was able to repel the spirited challenge from the son of Speightstown.
Mid-way down the lane, the gelding began to speed away from his rivals en route to a 1 ¼-length score in a time of 1:09.79. Old Chestnut rallied to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of Ironstone. Step Forward was a head back for fourth spot.
It was the fifth career victory, to go along with a second and a third from 10 starts for Flag Of Honour, who earned his second graded stakes triumph. Last year, the bay eked out a gutsy nose score in the Kennedy Road (G2).
Bred by Mr. G. Harvey and owned by R.M. Wanless and J.M. Wanless, Flag Of Honour arrived at the Jacques Cartier off a runner-up effort in the Thorncliffe Stakes, run at 5 ½ furlongs over the Woodbine main track, on May 5.
Sent off as the 9-5 choice, he paid $5.60 for today’s win.
