KINGSTON, Jamaica - Staged as the closing event on the nine-race card, the 1,300-metre sprint restricted to three-year-old non-winners of three races had 13 declarations. Interestingly, the most untrustworthy in the line-up, Nefetari (Anthony Thomas), who left the gates very slowly in six races and capped that by even refusing to race on one occasion, was installed the favourite at 3/2. She did not abandon her tardy habit but still managed to make the frame in fourth place.
Several, including Nefetari, were not alert in responding to the need to escape from the stalls. Freedom Street (7/1), trained by Patrick Lynch and ridden by former two-time champion Shane Ellis, travelled ominously well in the front rank from early. The improving bay gelding dominated affairs from the top of the straight to score by nearly eight lengths.
The opening event revealed that there is a particularly smart juvenile schooled by top-five owner and trainer Ian Parsard. Key To Power progeny debutant Bootylicious, bred by part owner Karen Parsard, was ridden by Reyan Lewis for the first of his two wins on the day. Installed favourite at 1/5, the nicely conformed and obviously talented bay filly reeled off the 1,100 metres in 1:06.2, which put her 17 ½ lengths in front at the line.
The second event was won in fine style by maiden Cotterrwood Kathy (3-1), who was always clear over the 1,100 metres with veteran Oniel Mullings at the reins for in-form conditioner Ryan Darby to saddle a fifth winner over the last four race days.
Race three provided an opportunity for another veteran reinsman to visit the winners’ enclosure, this in the form of Allen Maragh. His mount, maiden Amad Ali (5-1), trained by Gary Subratie for the opener of a stable double following a very slow beginning was at least 20 lengths adrift of the front runners at the end of 200 of the 1,300 metres. Running wide of rivals in the home straight, Amad Ali overcame the deficit easily to score by two lengths, which augurs well for his immediate future prospects.
Winner of the 1,600-metre non-winners of three fourth event Turnonthelight (3-1) up to now was kept to distances short of this by trainer Dennis Pryce. Turned out in excellent condition as evidenced by her occasional tail-swishing in the post parade, the filly got the best of Javaniel Patterson from the saddle. Following a slow and somewhat unbalanced start despite her ability to sprint, the accomplished reinsman kept her off the early fractions to ration her stamina, enabling her to deliver a successful late challenge inside the last 100 metres. Turnonthelight won by a head in a driving finish.
The day’s fifth, contested over 1,400 metres, was won by Zabratone (2/1), presented in invincible form by trainer Dennis Thwaites. Establishing an uncontestable lead 800 metres out, the five-year-old gelding needed very little persuasion from former six-time champion Omar Walker to gallop to a romp of eight lengths.
Consistent nine-year-old gelding Diligent (6-1) proved to be the first of two wins for popular Robert Halledeen who induced a late effort from the big grey over the final 50 of the 1,000-metre straight sixth event to give Delroy Spencer his first win of the season from seven starts, which included two third-place finishes as well.
At the end of the 1,600-metre seventh, it was time for both Subratie and Lewis to pose for the cameras in the winners’ enclosure. An unsuccessful Jamaica Derby and St Leger aspirant, D Head Cornerstone (1/1), who finished a well-beaten fourth in both, did not have the best of starts here but mended steadily on the rails to lead easily with 800 metres to come. Clearly an improving sort, the Bern Identity bay colt won by a conservative three-and-a-half lengthsm, giving promise of further improvement.
Run over the 1,000-metre round course, God of Love (2-5) was guided by Robert Halledeen to confirm a riding double. Conditioned by FitzGerald Richards, a consistent six-year-old Adore The Gold, bred gelding and a winner of 12 of 46 career races, outsprinted eight rivals to satisfy the formality of going through the motions to deliver the purse, which, in effect, was gifted to owner Vincent Maine.
The Training Feat Award is presented to trainer Dennis Pryce for the performance of Turnonthelight in performing the Best Winning Gallop over the unfamiliar trip. The tactically perfect application in the exploit of the speed, stamina, and courage of Turnonthelight on the day earns Javaniel Patterson a rare Jockeyship Award.
