KINGSTON, Jamaica - Trainer Roy Matthews celebrated his first win in 2023 when his horse, Hecandance, led throughout a race for three-year-olds and up in the Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) category.
The race also featured five-year-olds and up (non-winners of four), as well as imported five-year-olds (non-winners of three) competing at a distance of 7 ½ furlongs.
Hecandance, ridden by Tevin Foster, took the lead from the start, followed by Zabratone (Dane Dawkins), Justin Biden (Shane Richardson), and Sunshine Cat (Oneil Mullings) down the backstretch.
As Hecandance continued to set the pace into the half-mile turn, Justin Biden challenged for the lead at the top of the straight. Foster urged Hecandance on, and the horse found extra energy to pull away and secure a victory by 3 ½ lengths.
Justin Biden finished in second place and Zabratone came in third. The final time for the race was recorded at 1:37.3 (24.0 x 47.3 x 1:14.1).
