OKAHUMPKA OBLIGES
Eight-year-old chestnut gelding Okahumpka obliged as the favourite in a five-year-old and upwards Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) spread at the shortest competing distance at the Park - three furlongs (600m).
Trained by Donovan Russell and ridden by Shane Richardson, Okahumpka was off to a good start, racing with Freedom for Eds (Anthony Thomas) and Princess Statistic (Jordan Barrett).
Okahumpka got into his groove inside the final furlong and a half (300m), drawing away from rivals to win easily by 3 ¾ lengths. Freedom for Eds was a clear second with Princess Statistic finishing third. The final time was recorded at 36.1.
KUNDA MAN UPSETS AT 39-1
The longest shot on the board, Kunda Man, running with the blinkers off at odds of 39-1, upset rivals in a native-bred four-year-old and upwards maiden condition contest at six furlongs (1,200m).
Kunda Man was the last of eight runners to leave the starting gates at the break as Tiger Bella (Natalie Berger) dashed to the front ahead of Longie Lala (Chris Mamdeen) and Military Shot (Matthew Bennett).
Jockey Aaron Chatrie then got the Dale Murphy-owned and trained Kunda Man going at the half-mile when slipping down into third place behind Tiger Bella and Longie Lala. In no time, Kunda Mam hit the front at the top of the straight full of running.
Although Conundrum (Omar Walker) came with a challenge towards the end, Kunda Man was not for the catching, running out an easy 2 ½ length winner. Conundrum was second and Silver Soul (Javaniel Patterson) third with a final time of 1:18.1.
AFTER EQUIPMENT CHANGE, FAULYNA FOREVER ARRIVES IN TIME
Running with the visor off, the Rudolph Hardial-conditioned Faulyna Forever ran down rivals in an Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) race for three-year-olds and upwards over the straight course at five furlongs (1,000m).
Faulyna Forever, with Christopher Mamdeen in the saddle, raced just behind Commissioner (Oshane Nugent), Mamacita (Nicholas Hibbert), and Chief of State (Youville Pinnock).
Faulyna Forever continued to bide her time until inside the final half-furlong (100m) when quickening between horses to win the event by a short head ahead of Chief of State and Commissioner.
The final time for the race was 1:03.3.
APHELIOS RETURNS WITH A BANG
Returning from a four-month break, four-year-old grey colt Aphelios with the visor off easily brushed aside rivals in a four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) contest over five furlongs round.
At the start of the race, Carol Strike (Tevin Foster) shot to the front ahead of Aphelios and Big Argument (Youville Pinnock). Going into the half-mile turn, Paraiso (Roger Hewitt) surrounded runners and assumed the lead with Aphelios in hot pursuit.
Coming off the bend and into the lane, jockey Raddesh Roman pushed through the Anthony Nunes-trained Aphelios to take up the running and the grey colt went on his way to post a 7 ½-length win in a time of 1:01.2.
Although drifting out in deep stretch, Paraiso held on well for second place as Bigmanbiden (Jemar Jackson) finished third.
FIVE HORSES CLAIMED
In the first race, David Powell claimed Struck By Grace for owner Allan Flynn from Michael Marlowe, Wilfred Chin claimed Rockdale for owner Wayne Crosdale from Errol Pottinger; and Steven Todd claimed winner Okahumpka for owner Delroy Wellington from Donovan Russell. All horses from the first event were claimed for $180,000.
Lincoln Lungs claimed Commissioner for owner Paul Nugent for $250,000 from Nicholas Smith, while Phillip Lee claimed Mamacita for owner Keeble Roberts and Dwight Falconer, also for $250,000 from Dennis Lee from the fourth race.
