KINGSTON, Jamaica - Apprentice Richard Byrd rode his first career winner aboard the Ryan Williams-conditioned Contractor in the $580,000 Fire In Yu Wire call for five-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) runners that included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and native-bred five-year-olds and upward (maiden) over four furlongs (800m).
It was a smooth break for the five runners as Contractor and Mardele (Richard Henry) matched early strides. Fiery Path (Anthony Allen), Silver Soul (Javaniel Patterson), and Avery and Ayan (Aaron Chatire) raced behind.
Coming across the dummy rails, Contractor found top stride and began to draw away from the field to run out an easy 3¼-length winner at the wire in a time of 50.2. Fiery Path made a late run to get second place, ahead of Avery and Ayan in third place.
