THE KILLER BEE WITH THE WINNING STING
After finishing second by a head to Baltusrol on April 23 over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m), Killer Bee went one better in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000 - $450,000) spread at 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).
It was a good start by Killer Bee as the Donovan Plummer trainee sat behind the early pace set by Milkman (Tevin Foster) ahead of Lazer Light (Reyan Lewis) and Nuclear Emma (Roger Hewitt).
Jockey Jordan Barrett got his mount into her work as Killer Bee joined Milkman and Lazer Light going into the half-mile (800m) turn with Lazer Light fading approaching the distance. Killer Bee turned for home on the outside of Milkman and after a short battle, the eight-year-old bay mare edged away for a 2½-length victory.
Milkman did well for second place as Flowers Thirty, under Christopher Mamdeen, closed for third money. The final time for the event was 1:23.0.
DODGE THIS LINK FINALLY COMES GOOD
Dodge This Link, after some close misses and disappointing efforts, finally produced the goods in a five-year-old and upwards (non-two) going 5 ½ furlongs.
With Dane Dawkins in the saddle for trainer Ian Parsard, Dodge This Link settled just behind the pace at the off in third place behind Duke of Springs (Shane Richards) and Silverstine (Omar Walker).
As the runners dashed into the turn, Dodge This Link surrounded rivals taking the lead ahead of Silverstine and My Smokey (Jordan Barrett). My Smokey came up to challenge Dodge This Link in deep stretch, but the latter found extra and sprinted clear for the win.
Dodge This Link won by a length and three quarters ahead of My Smokey and Duke of Springs in a time of 1:10.1 for the distance.
LIGHTNING MCQUEEN IN ONE STRIKE
Seven-year-old bay horse Lightning McQueen made one move to win a three-year-old and upwards claiming ($1,000,000 - $800,000) contest down the five-straight course.
Trained by Nicholas Smith and ridden by Paul Francis, Lightning McQueen shot to the front at the off and immediately opened up on rivals with every stride. Special Counsel (Chris Mamdeen) showed early dash along with Acero (Shane Ellis) and Rum With Me (Raddesh Roman).
Coming across the dummy rails, Lightning McQueen, who had not raced in six months, opened up on rivals and looked like an easy winner. Although he began to shorten a bit inside the final stages of the race, Lightning McQueen was not for the catching, winning by a length and three quarters in a time of 59.3.
Rum With Me was second and Acero third.
MISTER MANDATE HOLDS ON FOR A FIGHTING WIN
Four-year-old chestnut gelding Mister Mandate, trained by Dennis Pryce and ridden by Javaniel Patterson, scored a fighting win in a four-year-old and upwards (non-three) over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m).
From the start, Mister Mandate raced prominently in second place down the backstretch behind the leader, the speedy The Genesis, under apprentice Roger Hewitt. Mister Mandate maintained his gallop well until hitting the front full of running at the five-furlong (1000m) marker, looking strong on the front end.
Mister Mandate upped the tempo at the half-mile and began to draw away from the rest of the field. Mister Mandate began to shorten in the final stages but outbattled Mine That Cat (Bebeto Harvey) to the wire.
Mister Mandate won by half-length in the end in a time of 1:34.4. Third went to Positive ID (Tevin Foster).
SEVEN HORSES CLAIMED
In the first race, Donovan Plummer claimed Hail Mary for himself from Phillip Elliott; Wilfred Chin claimed Ridewiththemob for owner Sylvester Subaran from Cashbert Khwalsingh, and Michael McIntosh claimed Poker Star for himself from Henry Harrison Jr. All horses were claimed for $250,000 each.
Dennis Pryce claimed Milkman for owner Busy Racing Stable for $$550,000 from Keffin Murray, while Ralph Roberts claimed Lazer Light for owner Dr Lynden Richards, also for $550,000 from the second race.
In the sixth race, Donovan Plummer claimed Power of Faith for himself from Ian Parsard, and Donovan Plummer claimed Acero for owner Lloyd Dawes from Dennis Pryce. Both horses were claimed for $1 million each.
