KINGSTON, Jamaica - As expected after being entered in a claiming race for the first time, Grade One contender Emperorofthecats proved unstoppable. The five-year-old gelding dominated the five-furlong straight sprint event on Saturday, April 20th, 2024.
Emperorofthecats, sired by Emperor Hall out of Laws of the Cat, left no doubt in the three-year-old and up Claiming ($1 million - $800,000) race. He cruised to victory by a comfortable 2 ¾ lengths, clocking a final time of 1:01.1 seconds (23.0 x 46.0).
Early in the race, Emperorofthecats battled for the lead with Phoenix Risen (Paul Francis) and El Afortunado (Matthew Bennett). As the pack settled, Emperorofthecats and Phoenix Risen emerged as the frontrunners, neck-and-neck approaching the halfway point.
Moving into the final furlong, Emperorofthecats kicked into another gear, pulling away for a convincing win. Power Ranking (Carlos Blake) rallied for second place, while Posing Already (Tevin Foster) secured third.
Carl Anderson bred, owns, and trains Emperorofthecats, who was expertly ridden by jockey Richard Henry.
One claim was submitted for Emperorofthecats, that claim who however, declared null and void.
Given the past performances of Emperorofthecats in Overnight and Open Allowance, it was strange that only one claim was placed in the claiming box.
