KINGSTON, Jamaica - Trainer Paul Charlton saddled his first winner for the season after his charge Danny Spud outbattled rivals to win a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) contest that included native-bred six year olds and upwards (non-winners of four) and imported six year olds and upwards (non-winners of three) travelling 5 furlongs (1,000m) straight.
Ridden by Romario Spencer, Danny Spud, stepping down the claiming ladder, broke well, racing just adrift of the early leader Just An Illusion (Anthony Thomas).
With a furlong to go, Danny Spud, Just An Illusion, and Dodge This Link (Dane Dawkins) were locked in a three-way duel for the lead. Danny Spud got his head in front at the wire for the win, just a nose in front of Dodge This Link, who was then just a nose in front of the fast-finishing XY Soul (Reyan Lewis) in third place. The final time for the event was 1:02.3 (23.0 x 47.0).
