RACE 1 - Nothing much to consider or report on this bottom of the barrel claimer. The race track remains slow with the winner clocking 1:19.0 for six furlongs.
RACE 2 - With the late withdrawal of morning line favourite Diamond League (lame), Adoring Sammie made use of the opportunity under the guidance of jockey Tevin Foster to win the Caymanas Ash Wednesday second. Uptown Boss (Kiaman McGregor) was second with Sniper Man (Dane Nelson) holding the third slot. Of special note is that the win by Adoring Sammie came when the blinkers were taken off to demonstrate the importance of equipment to a horse’s performance.
RACE 3 – The excellence of co-champion jockey Anthony Thomas came to the fore with a brilliant come from behind ride on Awesome Aviator for trainer Steven Todd. Todd should be given a handshake as Awesome Aviator was actually moving up the claiming ladder to win this one. After being completely out of view for most of the race, co-Thomas took Awesome Aviator on the wide outside and with a searing run landed the event. Stanislaus was second and Mother Nature third.
RACE 4 - After coming from behind to win the third on Awesome Aviator, jockey Anthony Thomas switched the playbook to win the Caymanas Ash Wednesday fourth in a gate to wire performance on Reigning King. That win by Reigning King who went off at odds of 3-2, allowed Thomas and trainer Steven Todd to earn their second winner on the day. Six lengths behind Reigning King were Subbie (Javaniel Patterson) and Bloodsweatandtears (Mario Chung) in third.
RACE FIVE – While attention has to be placed on the winner Silver Hawk trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Dick Cardenas a lot of eyes were zeroed-in on Daddy Jones. Running green, Daddy Jones was first running on the inside rails and then in the middle of the track. Certainly, Daddy Jones by American Dance -Mete-Orite is one watch plus he is a half-brother to the talented A1 campaigner Mahogany.
RACE SIX - Jockey Shane Richardson made a rare visit to the winners’ enclosure atop the Philip Feanny trained Salvation. It was an easy win for the duo as once again this raced proved that horses drawn on the outside coming down the straight have a distinct advantage. Salvation won by six lengths over Task Force (Aaron Chatrie) with Eagle One (Anthony Thomas) third.
RACE SEVEN - With the experienced Shane Ellis in the saddle, Regnant a three-year-old chestnut colt by American Dance – Mama Blossom racing for the first time ran out a comfortable winner of the Caymanas Ash Wednesday seventh. Will The Conqueror was second with Artesia (Dane Dawkins) third. It should be noted that the first three by the winning post were all first-time runners making the second and third place all horses to follow. Regnant is trained by Victor Williams who was winning his second race of the 2021 season. It is interesting to note that Ellis was riding for the first time today as he was unavailable for his earlier rides.
RACE EIGHT - Devon A Thomas proved his competency in the saddle once again with a patient endeavour on the Errol Subratie trained Chrisanli. Thomas started his second coming at the back end of last year after being in the wilderness for a long time and since then he has been piling up the winners. Thomas proved that in almost all things, perseverance and hard work pay off.
RACE NINE – Dane Nelson when he is in his ‘ackee’ is simply unbeatable. The power and tenacity that Nelson is imbibed with came out again this time atop Big Bang. In a driving finish Big Bang put aside Chris Mamdeen and Coco Chanel by a neck. Coming out of this race watch the progress of past Derby winner Drone Strike who seems to be slowly getting his act together.
RACE 10 – Imported filly Lure of Lucy got tongues wagging with an impressive time of 1:19.0 at 6 ½ furlongs in only her second run on local soil. In her first run, Lure of Lucy was beaten by local bred She’s A Wonder whose stocks have now risen. Watch Bizzy Whizz also who after issues at the gates last December made his return and did well to finish second. Triple on the day for jockey Anthony Thomas.
RACE 11 – It took time for Eroy and his trainer Richard Azan to enter the winners’ circle in 2021 and when they did with Eroy delivered a win of character and class. The final time of 1:18.3 on a slow track speaks volumes and the hope now for the connections is for more consistency from Eroy.
