RARE WINNER FOR JOCKEY DEVON A THOMAS
Devon A Thomas rode his second winner in 2022 atop the Keffin Murray-trained Run Jaya Run in a five-year-old and upwards claiming ($180,000-$150,000) event at 3 1/2 furlongs (700m) that also included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) and native-bred five-year-old and upwards (maidens).
Run Jaya Run was off to a decent start as Fourthousand (Jerome Innis), Freedom for Eds (Anthony Thomas), and Money Marshall, the mount of Tevin Foster vied for the early advantage. As the runners sorted themselves out heading towards the dummy rails, Money Marshall emerged as the leader with Fourthousand, and Run Jaya Run just behind in third place.
In the final furlong (200m), Run Jaya Run found top stride and got up in the ‘glass’ to beat Money Marshall by a head. Fourthousand finished third. The final time was 42.2 seconds.
AWESOME BOY OFF THE MARK
Five-year-old American-bred chestnut horse Awesome Boy earned his first win in a gate-to-wire effort while racing in a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) call to also include imported five-year-olds and upwards (maidens) at 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Jockey Jawani Forbes hustled the Donovan Russell-trained Awesome Boy to take a slim lead ahead of Little Buzz (Dane Dawkins) when the gates opened. Audubility (Rudolph Paige) raced behind in third place with Valiant (Raddesh Roman) following.
Navigating the half-mile (800m) turn, Awesome Boy continued to lead under a tight hold from Forbes and then began to edge away. Awesome Boy remained under a tight grip until the final furlong when he sprinted clear to win by 4 1/2 lengths.
Audibility finished second and JNR Jones (Roger Hewitt) third. The final time for the race was a pedestrian 1:10.4.
ALEXA’S DREAM A WINNER AFTER EQUIPMENT CHANGE
Alexa’s Dream, running with the blinkers, turned around her indifferent form to win a native-bred four-year-old upwards (non-winners of four), to also include imported four-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) over six furlongs (1,200m).
At the off, jockey Dane Dawkins held the Gary Subratie-conditioned Alexa’s Dream in third place behind leaders Rocket Lilly (Ramon Nepare) and Quiet Boss (Chris Mamdeen) going into the half-mile (800m) turn.
Approaching the straight, Alexa’s Dream, hugging the inside rails, slipped down into second behind Rocket Lily before hitting the front. Alexa’s Dream kept up her work in deep stretch and ran home to win by 2 ¾ length in a time of 1:12.4.
Taurus Boy, under Nicholas Hibbert, came through in deep stretch to grab second ahead of Sensational Gold (Dick Cardenas).
FUNOMETER GOES ONE BETTER
Funometer, after a close finish behind Justin Biden travelling six furlongs on September 17, returned and went one better in a native-bred maiden condition race at 5 ½ furlongs.
With champion jockey Anthony Thomas riding for champion trainer Anthony Nunes, Funometer was slowly into stride when the starter pressed his button, settling in midpack going into the half-mile turn as She’s My Friend (Reyan Lewis) led from North London (Matthew Bennett), and Manaco (Carlos Blake).
Approaching the final part of the turn, Funometer slipped into second place while scraping paint off the inside rails. With the momentum going his way, Funometer powered his way home, scoring by 2 ½ lengths. She’s My Friend finished second and Givemethelight (Nicholas Hibbert) third. The final time was recorded at 1:08.0.
SEVEN HORSES CLAIMED
Henry Harrison Jr claimed Money Marshall for owner Winston Taylor from Kingsley Davis for $180,000.
In the fourth race Jason DaCosta claimed Anngelos for owner Colshar Limited from Lawrence Freemantle, DaCosta also claimed Inspired Miracle for owner Elizabeth DaCosta from Keffin Murray, and Patrick Taylor claimed It’s A Boy for owner Donnett Yee from DaCosta. All three horses from the fourth event were claimed for $750,000 each.
In the fifth race Gregory Forsyth claimed winner Nala’s Bushman for owner Meleta Byfield from Dale Murphy, Errol Pottinger claimed Hecandance for owner Lawrence McKenley from Ryan Williams, and Marvin Campbell claimed Lazer Light for owner Richgate Farms from Ryan Darby. All the horses from the fifth race each went for $400,000 each.
