KINGSTON, Jamaica - Veteran trainer Adin 'Dreddie' Williams saddled his first winner for the season when his charge Manaco won a three-year-old and upward Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) spread that included six-year-olds and upwards horses (non-winners of four) going 5½ furlongs (1,100m).
Manaco broke behind the early pace at the off as jockey Tevin Foster held the four-year-old chestnut colt in fourth position behind Just An Illusion (Jordan Barrett), Milkman (Jemar Jackson), and Buzz Assault (Anthony Allen) going into the half-mile (800m) turn.
Manaco came off the final bend going four wide, still racing behind the leaders. Foster produced his mount on the outside for an effort and Manaco responded by getting up in time to beat Milkman by three quarters of a length at the line.
Fabulosity (Matthew Bennett) came from way off to get third place. The final time for the event was 1:10.3 (23.3 x 47.3).
