KINGSTON, Jamaica – The first-ever three consecutive race days at Caymanas Park continued on Sunday, April 17, 2022, with nine races.
Below is THE QUICK GALLOPER’S race by race analysis.
RACE ONE – This event resulted in an easy win for Dezzy The Genuis with Dick Cardenas in the saddle for trainer Fernando Geddes. Cardenas, who was returning from a long injury break seems to be in good nick, while it was really pleasing to see former jockey Geddes in the winners’ circle again as a conditioner.
RACE TWO – The well-worn and battle-hardened seven-year-old grey gelding Pure Heart won his first race since April of last year to give second-generation trainer Henry Harrison Jr his first visit to the winners’ enclosure this season. It was also the first winner this year for apprentice Nicholas Hibbert.
RACE THREE – After winning on debut by 21 lengths, Quanna racing for the first occasion in five-year-old non-winners of two had to dig deep in his reserves to thwart the late burst of Comandante Lunar (Trevor Simpson). Trainer Donovan Plummer, a quiet accumulator of winners (six in 2022) must be hailed for his patience in getting Quanna to the race track in the first place, and then to win two on the trot is quite an achievement. Quanna was the first winner on the day for jockey Anthony Thomas.
RACE FOUR – This was a romp for old stager Sir Puddington, with Kiaman McGregor in the irons for trainer Edward Stanberry. It was a welcome win for McGregor, who has been struggling over the last year or so. He started his career with consistency and looked good in the saddle, which caught the attention of many onlookers. Then for reasons unknown to THE QUICK GALLOPER, McGregor’s progress in the saddle has nosedived. Sir Puddington was only his second win this season from a paltry 30 rides.
RACE FIVE – “Old girl’ Sharp Skirt recorded her ninth career victory from 53-lifetime starts. This win by Sharp Shirt continued the recent upsurge by long-time trainer Welsh Soutar, who has secured three wins from just eight starts thus far in 2022. Quanna was the second winner on Easter Sunday for Thomas.
RACE SIX – The consistent Gorgeous Gift with the tongue tie on, got the job done with ease for former jockey, now trainer, Tensang Chung.
RACE SEVEN – Duke after four unflattering efforts this season found princely form in this five-furlong round Open Allowance call travelling five furlongs round. Well handled by Dane Dawkins, the Gary Subratie trainee sat off the pace and then produced a charge in the straight to win convincingly by four lengths in 59.1 seconds. In getting back to his old self, Duke made it win number 11 from 51 starts, with his career earnings going over the $10 million mark.
RACE EIGHT – Having raced four times and getting beaten by colts and geldings, Sunset Silhoutte found a comfortable spot among three-year-old fillies at seven furlongs. The winning time of 1:27.3 did little to enhance Sunset Silhoutte’s position as a possible contender for the female Classics, especially with the likes of Atomica, and Golden Wattle around. From this eighth race pay attention to the performance of rookie Never On A Sunday. This unheralded filly was the last to leave the starting but simply flew in the straight to finish third. Sunset Silhoutte sealed a triple for Thomas and a double for trainer Jason DaCosta. This was the second day in a row that Thomas was aboard three winners, and the double was the second for DaCosta.
NINTH – This (non-winners of two), three-year-old call at a mile saw the emergence of Power. Power trained by Philip Feanny with Omar Walker doing the riding honours ran his best race (sixth starts) to leapfrog his male counterparts as the new favourite for the one-mile 2000 Guineas. Power raced prominently and then motored in the straight to win by 3 ¾ lengths in a noticeable final time of 1:40.3. Note must be made of the performance of the highly touted filly Nefertari. Nefertari gave trouble before entering her post-position, and when the gates opened, she was slowly out. Nefertari never recovered with her rider Linton Steadman easing the filly down, during the race. Nefertari finished ninth of 12 starters.
