BALTUSROL GETS UP IN TIME
After a slow start, the Gregory Forsyth-conditioned Baltursol recovered to get up in time to beat rivals in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) spread over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Ridden by Tevin Foster, Baltusrol raced in fourth place at the half-mile behind Loose Cannon (Javaniel Patterson), Casual Charm (Dane Dawkins) and Nina Dorada (Raddesh Roman).
With the momentum going his way, Baltusrol slipped down into second place approaching the home bend and after a superb stretch run, just made it to beat Killer Bee (Jordan Barrett) and Loose Cannon by a head in a time of 1:09.1 for the distance.
GENERAL MUBARAAK TURNS AROUND FORM
General Mubaraak, after two unplaced finishes, returned to winning ways in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) race at a mile (1,600m).
General Mubaraak wasn’t the best to leave the starting gates at the off, but coupled nicely under Matthew Bennett while racing in fourth place behind Ashley’s Glory (Richard Byrd), Smooth Criminal (Anthony Thomas) and Funky Fashion (Dane Dawkins) down the backstretch.
General Mubaraak got going leaving the half-mile turn, racing in second place behind Ashley’s Glory. Hugging the inside rails, General Mubaraak came with a strong run, in deep stretch to win by a length and a half. Funky Fashion finished second and Ashley’s Glory third. The final time for the event was 1:48.2.
TAURUS BOY WINS DOWN THE STRAIGHT
Trained by Philip Feanny and ridden by Omar Walker, American-bred Taurus Boy earned his second career victory in a four-year-old and upwards (non-two) for foreigners and a non-three for local bred horses over the five straight course (1,000m).
Taurus Boy was not the best away when the starting gates opened, racing behind the early pace as Vanquisher (Matthew Bennett), Artesia (Youville Pinnock) and Mister Mandate (Robert Halledeen) mixed things up front.
As the runners sorted themselves out coming across the dummy rails, Taurus Boy was switched to the outside of runners and with a clear run, the four-year-old bay colt powered past rivals to win by a length and a half.
Artesia, who was always prominent throughout, ended in second place with Mister Mandate getting the third spot. The final time for the event was a quick 57.4 after splits of 22.2 x 44.4.
THREE TIMES LUCKY A 24-1 UPSETTER
Trainer Errol Burke saddled his first winner of the season when his charge Three Times Lucky upset rivals in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($1 million - $800,000) event at seven furlongs (1,400m).
Sent off at odds of 24-1, Three Times Lucky, ridden by Javaniel Patterson, came out of the gates in good order and quickly assumed the lead approaching the six furlongs (1,200m) ahead of Don Almighty (Chris Mamdeen), Superluminal (Omar Walker) and Zabratone (Youville Pinnock).
Three Times Lucky continued to maintain her steady gallop down the backstretch and event when pressured by Zabratone and Superluminal navigating the half-mile turn, the four-year-old chestnut filly was steadfast in her response.
Despite a late challenge from Don Almighty in deep stretch, Three Times Lucky held strong, winning by half-length in a time of 1:28.2. Don Almighty was second and Superluminal third.
FIVE HORSES CLAIMED
In the first race, Byron Davis claimed It’s All I for himself for $550,000 from Lorne Kirlew, and Gary Crawford claimed winner Baltusrol, also for himself for $550,000 from Gregory Forsyth.
Byron Davis claimed winner of the second race General Mubaraak for owner Paul Nugent for $250,000 from Steven Todd, while Michael Thomas claimed Smooth Criminal for owner G Links Connection, also for $250,000 from Joseph Thomas.
Paul Hylton claimed Superluminal for owner Hugal Douglas for $1 million from Dennis Thwaites from the sixth race.
