KINGSTON, Jamaica - Five-year-old chestnut gelding Regnant made all the running to win the $800,000 Cesario three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) race that also included five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of four) at 6½ furlongs (1,300m).
With Anthony Thomas riding for trainer Carlton Cunningham, Regnant shot to the front at the off, holding a slim lead ahead of Wowza (Reyan Lewis) passing the 6-furlong (1,200m) point. Regnant continued to bide his time well until approaching the half-mile (800m) turn, when the Midnight Hawk offspring upped the tempo and began to draw clear of the chasing Wowza.
Turning for home with a comfortable lead, Regnant accelerated and powered home in deep stretch to win by 14 lengths at the wire, hitting the line in a time of 1:21.2 (23.2 x 47.0 x 1:13.4). Justin Biden came home in second place with Wowza third. .
