Drone Strike (2-5), declared by owner/trainer Carlton Cunningham for the opener of a stable double, won the $200,000 claiming event in a seven-length romp over the 5½-furlongs of the opening event. Two-time and reigning champion Raddesh Roman picked up the first of two wins on the nine-race programme aboard this 11-year-old 2017 Derby winner.
Race two went to Wayne’s Princess (3-5), who won the seven-furlong gallop by three-quarters of a length. Following on from a three-timer 24 hours earlier, the irrepressible trainer/jockey collaboration between Jason DaCosta, four-time and reigning champion, and Tevin Foster, the leader this season, picked up their fourth winner on day two of the Heroes Weekend three-day carnival.
Sir John (1-9), saddled by Peter-John Parsard and piloted by Phillip Parchment, duly justified the odds with a winning margin of three and a half lengths over the seven furlongs of race three, in which a field of seven claimers valued at either $700 or 600k started.
Race four for maidens four years and older, and run over the straight course, had a very interesting outcome; Gypsy Lee (17-1) scored by nearly nine lengths, with apprentice Daniel Thomas the winning rider.
The fifth event of nine on the day was dominated by Brompton Boy, the favourite at 1-2, who was well in control of the pace to score by six lengths over the five-furlong straight course. Raddesh Roman was astride for former three-time champion conditioner Anthony Nunes for the opener of a natural stable double.
Kamiak (2-1) confirmed the closing leg for Nunes convincingly from in front to register a near seven-length advantage, with in-form apprentice Jahiem Anderson riding his 32nd winner this season with more to come on the card.
For race seven, veteran Paul “Country” Francis did not have the best of starts aboard She’s Adorable (5-2) but skilfully manoeuvred through the field to lead inside the last furlong six and claim double success for owner/trainer Carlton Cunningham.
Race eight was an Overnight Allowance 5½-furlong contest to honour the memory of popular Vassel “Jolly Man” Najair, then a retired jockey, who died on September 18, 2018, from injuries in a bizarre freak accident when attacked by a fractious horse he was voluntarily, in an unofficial capacity, trying to control.
Saddled by Rohan Mathie, Wall Street Trader (USA) overtook long-time battling leaders She’s That Girl and California Crown inside the last furlong to take the feature by two and three-quarters of a length to actualize Jahiem Anderson’s riding double.
The nightcap over the extended nine-furlong circular course for three-year-olds, non-winner of two races saw Richard Azan’s Abudar (9-1), well ridden by apprentice Garwin Harris, just outstaying the even-money favourite Minniehaha by a neck.
