The fact that the over the last three race days, the total number of starters averaged just over 72 per cent must be concerning to those who have a grasp of what is required to promote horse racing successfully.
From a position 115 runners and between 11 and 12 races in 1992, it is unfortunate that over three decades later the size of the fields is at this abysmal depth.
As the US Jockey Club has discovered it is time local industry players realise that the Claiming System has ruined the growth of this sport/business this side of the Atlantic.
The consistent Carl Anderson bred, owned and trained five-year-old gelding Emperorofthecats (7/5), in winning the opening event of the ten on the programme, contested over the 1000-metre straight gallop, turned out to be the first of a double success for two-kilogramme claiming jockey Shane Richardson.
This was victory number 13 for Emperorofthecats from 28 appearances for this sturdy bay progeny of Emperor Hall out of Laws Of The Cat. Thirty-five minutes later, leading reinsman Tevin Foster secured the first of four wins on the day.
For the day’s second, run at 1000 metres round, Brompton Alex (2-5), saddled by Phillip Lee scored by six and a half lengths.
Foster’s second of his four-timer was delivered, for the first of a stable double aboard Jason DaCosta’s progressive two-year-filly Miss Moneypenny (1-5). She who was four lengths superior to her nearest of four rivals over the 1100 metres of race three thereby making it two from two starts.
Richardson claimed his second in race four with owner/trainer Carlton Cunningham’s Millinium Star (5-2) four lengths clear of her field at the end of the 1400-metre gallop.
Sparingly declared four-kilogramme claimer Calvin Bailey, on only his third race riding opportunity this year, won the 1200-metre race five by a margin of one length for his father trainer Howard Bailey.
In race six, run at 1000 metres round and won by Omar Williams’ Princess Ria (5-2), Foster was at his best tactically in securing a run on the far rails in the upper stretch to eventually better, by a short head, favourite Readmylips (1-1) with former champion Dick Cardenas. Cardenas was making a return to the saddle after a long break of close to two years. It was his only ride on the day.
Race seven, presented as the featured Harlequin Cup and contested by a field of six over 1000 metres straight was won by 5-1 bet Fearless Soul ridden by Paul Francis to score by one length.
This was the first of two for the stable of the legendary 14-time champion conditioner Philip Feanny. The double was confirmed in race eight by 2-1 bet Gilbert (USA) ridden by Delroy Beharie to win by eight and a half lengths.
Dane Dawkins, the 2022 champion was aboard Steven Todd’s even money favourite She’s My Girl as she outsprinted seven rivals to win race nine by over the 1000-metre round course by three lengths and a quarter.
In the nightcap, restricted to three-year-old maidens, Himaya (4-1) proved to be the closer for the DaCosta stable double and Foster’s four-timer.
