SIR FREDERICK IS A WINNER AFTER EQUIPMENT CHANGE
Sir Frederick, racing with the blinkers on, made one move to beat rivals in a five-year-old and upwards Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) spread over for furlongs (800m).
Trained by Dennis Thwaites and ridden by Hakeem Pottinger, Sir Frederick shot to the front at the off and held the lead ahead of rivals. Sir Frederick stayed with the field for the first half of the contest before running away in the final furlong (200m) but with yards to go, the 12-year-old bay horse had to withstand the late charge from Timetosaygoodye (Roger Hewitt).
Sir Frederick won by ¾ length, with King Livity (Kiaman McGregor) third. The final time recorded was 49.3 seconds.
NATALIE BERGER FIRST WINNER IN 2022
Natalie Berger rode her first winner aboard 26-1 long shot Queen Deftiny in a five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) event over 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Berger broke the Donovan Plummer-trained Queen Deftiny in good order in third place at the off, settling nicely behind Little Buzz (Chris Mamdeen) going into the half-mile turn.
Approaching the distance, Queen Deftiny took over and began to open on rivals entering the straight. Although drifting out in deep stretch, Queen Deftiny proved too strong for rivals, cruising home to win by 3 ¾ lengths.
Comandante Lunar (Omar Walker) finished second and Duke of Springs (Mario Chung) third. The final time was done in 1:17.4.
SENSATIONAL GOLD GOES ONE BETTER
After finishing second to Baton Rouge over the straight on March 19, the Randolph Scott-owned and trained Sensational Gold (Sensational Slam – Lady In Gold) returned to win a four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) contest over 6 furlongs.
Unlike in his previous start when he pitched shortly after leaving the starting gates, Sensational Gold was hustled up early by Oneil Mullings and settled in second place behind King Antholew (Javaniel Patterson).
Sensational Gold maintained his gallop well before taking over control approaching the home turn. Sensational Gold continued his way to the winning post, to win by a length and a half in a time of 1:16.2.
Second was Prosecco (Youville Pinnock) and third went to Bigmanbiden (Anthony Thomas).
EASY DOES IT FOR BALTUSROL
Trained by Jason DaCosta and ridden by Anthony Thomas, Baltusrol, stepping down from the $550,000 claiming group, easily defeated rivals in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) call over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
It was a good start for Baltusrol from the number one post but the bay gelding had to sit back behind the pacesetters led by Broken Light (Matthew Bennett) early on. When Baltusrol got into his grove, the six-year-old surged to the front navigating the half-mile turn, and never looked back.
Baltusrol accelerated in deep stretch, going on to win by 5 ¾ lengths ahead of Mr Lyndhurst (Dane Nelson) and Broken Light in a time of 1:08.1.
THREE HORSES CLAIMED
Victor Williams claimed the winner of the first race, Sir Frederick, for owner Soldier Camp for $180,000 from Dennis Thwaites.
In the seventh race, Gregory Forsyth claimed winner Baltusrol for owner Deleta Brewster from Jason DaCosta for $400,000, and Roy Matthews claimed Broken Light for owner Fitzroy Davidson from Ryan Williams, also for $400,000.
