Featured on the programme of ten races was the 2025 renewal of the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Graded Stakes/Open Allowance which had seven runners declared for the six- furlong gallop.
The weight allotment was in his favour, so it was hardly surprising that Wall Street Trader (16-1) was able to wear down his fellow US import top-rated Legacy Isle inside the final furlong. The strong four-year-old gelding was well ridden to a three-parts-of-a-length triumph by Ramon Nepare for trainer Rohan Mathie.
The opening event went to late-running 5-2 bet Nala’s Bushman (Rotajmar Weir), who thwarted Kay Boy’s sudden return to form at 24/1, with the falling short by a length and a half over the seven furlongs. Nala’s Bushman was prepared by Anthony Dixon, who is also the owner of the ten-year-old Storm Craft-bred gelding.
Race two, restricted to three-year-old native and imported three-year-olds non-winners of two races went to maiden Rocket Fire Seb (3-5) ridden by 2023 titlist Reyan Lewis for veteran conditioner Spencer Chung. This US-bred winner looks capable of a lot more, so one should not read too much negativity into his rather pedestrian 1:15.1 clocking over the six-furlong trip.
In race three, run at seven furlongs, Anthony Nunes’ Mr Senator (5-2), racing for a claiming tag for the first time, won by over six lengths and will transfer, at a cost of $1.5 million, to the stable of second-generation trainer Christopher Pearson. Claimer, Romario Spencer, who had two wins eventually, was the winning rider for owner Andrew Donalds.
Winner of race four, Leading Lad (9-5), saddled by Michael Spencer, justified his betting status with victory by just over two lengths over the seven furlongs for owner, the said Anthony Nunes.
Evertte Clunis, that ever-improving claimer, won aboard the lately consistent seven-year-old Last Hoorah (3-2), saddled by owner Byron Davis for the five-furlong straight gallop of race five to score by a neck in a driving finish. Favourite at 3-5, Sir John walked in last over the seven furlongs of race six.
On the other hand, Rusty (6-1) with claimer Garvin Harris astride for trainer Lennis Shim, led and never looked likely to concede his advantage in coming home two and a half lengths clear.
Florinda (6-5), a winner at the Tampa Bay track in Western Florida last year, in her first Caymanas run on May 24, 2025 was prominent early and faded in an Overnight Allowance. However, trainer Arnold Rambally Jnr, posted her in fine condition, declared champion Raddesh Roman and she duly obliged by five lengths over the six furlongs of race seven.
In race nine, Romario Spencer was able to confirm his best day in the saddle this season when Matuso (16-1) owned and trained by Howard McLeod, was a clear leader over the seven furlongs race nine until the final stride.
Spencer engaged in an early celebration, causing his mount to lose momentum 40 yards out and all but denied himself and the connections of Matuso's victory.
In the closing event, restricted to maiden fillies, Family Feud, conditioned by Winston Morris, scored by four lengths and a quarter at odds of 13-1 over the nearest of her 12 rivals. Ridden by Emelio McLean, the winner made it a very good day for 2024 graduates of the Jamaica Racing Commission Riding School with eight successes.
