KINGSTON, Jamaica – Trainer Gresford “Greasy’ Smith earned his second win of the season when his charge Awesome Aviator won the Caymanas Monday fourth – the Roderick “Pilot” Francis Memorial Cup.
Awesome Aviator’s (Aaron Chatrie) fifth win from 31 starts was achieved in a three-year-old Optional Claiming ($350,000 - $300,000) call at six furlongs.
Papa Albert (Chalrick Budhai), the 2-1 favourite faltered at the start leaving Balazo (Natalie Berger) to take the lead followed by Prince Sammo (Anthony Thomas) while Chatrie had Awesome Aviator travelling smoothly on the outside.
Balazo was gobbled-up by Prince Sammo with three furlongs to go but with Awesome Aviator getting much closer.
Entering the straight Prince Sammo was the leader but only just as Awesome Aviator was now in lift off mode.
The final furlong proved a battle for second as Awesome Aviator flew away to win by 3 ½ lengths.
Smokey Topaz was second and Cup A Soup third.
| RACE 4 **RODERICK 'PILOT" FRANCIS** 3YO&UP OPT CLM ($350K-$300K) 1200M/6FUR 2:10 PM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos. | No. | Horse | Jockey | Odds | Win | Place | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 8 | Awesome Aviator | Aaron Chatrie | 5-2 | $182.00 | $70.00 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | Smokey Topaz | Youville Pinnock | 4-1 | $91.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 6 | Cup A Soup | Dick Cardenas | 3-1 | $89.00 | ` | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 7 | Prince Sammo | Anthony Thomas | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 4 | Papa Albert | Chalrick Budhai | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Trainer: Gresford Smith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Splits: 23.3 x 48.1 - Time: 1:17.2 - Margins: 3 1/2 by 4 - 8 RAN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EX:$1,208 | T/Fecta:$898 | Triple:$10,577 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| D/E:$737 | S/Fecta:$3,199 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
