OKAHUMPKA OBLIGES AT
Trained by Steven Todd and ridden by Dane Dawkins, Okahumpka easily obliged as the favourite in a five-year-old and upwards Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) spread going 3 furlongs (600m).
It was an even break for most of the runners in the 13-horse field as Okahumpka vied for the early lead with Schlesinger (Shane Richardson), Supreme Star (Shavon Townsend), Voytek (Nicholas Hibbert) and Papa Albert (Abigail Able).
As the runners sorted themselves crossing the dummy rails, Okahumpka and Supreme Star emerged as the front-runners with the former edging away towards the end to win by a length and a half in a time of 35.4.
Schlesinger came on strong in the final stage of the race for second place, three parts of a length ahead of Supreme Star in third, as Papa Albert completed the frame.
NALA’S BUSHMAN IN THE NICK OF TIME
Seven-year-old bag gelding Nala’s Bushman, under a well-timed ride from jockey Jemar Jackson, got in the nick of time to nip Miss Linda Wray in an Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) race for three-year-olds and upwards travelling a mile (1,600m).
Nala’s Bushman was unable to go with the early pace, sitting among the backmarkers as Miss Linda Wray (Matthew Bennett) led the field down the backstretch ahead of Flowers Thirty (Dane Dawkins) and My Mom Juss (Christopher Mamdeen).
The runners maintained their gallops until Hot Ice (Javaniel Patterson) shot to the front and opened up on rivals heading towards the half-mile turn as Nala’s Bushman continued to race way behind.
Turning for home and going four wide, Jackson produced Nala’s Bushman for a late run and the Ryan Darby trainee his top gear and ran down Miss Linda Wray, who led the field into the lane. Nala’s Bushman won by 1 ¼ lengths in a time of 1:44.0. Finishing third was Silent Cat (Phillip Parchment).
PATRICK SMELLIE EARNS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
Owner/trainer Patrick Smellie notched his first victory of this season after his charge Buzz Assault made all to win a five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) call at 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Ridden by Odeen Edwards, Buzz Assault (Rising Moon – Phalaenopsis) shot to the front when the gates opened and held the lead ahead of Trulicity (Aaron Chatrie), Valiant (Raddesh Roman) and Julissa P (Roger Hewitt) going into the half-mile turn.
Turning for home, Buzz Assault continued to extend his lead, cruising home to win by 15 lengths. Julissa P finished second, a head in front of Audibility (Devon A Thomas). The final time for was clocked at 1:10.3.
FAKE ENTER WINNERS’ ENCLOSURE AFTER EQUIPMENT CHANGE
Fake racing with the figure-8 off, produced a late burst to win a four-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) travelling down the five straight course (1,000m).
Fake was safely out of his starting barrier with the Michael McIntosh-owned and trainer American-bred runner being held off the pace by Oshane Nugent. The pacesetters were Joyful (Daniel satchel), Stickydon (Phillip Parchment), Chiney Music (Jordan Barrett) and Big Argument (Shane Ellis).
As the runners sorted themselves out passing the dummy rails, Nakamura (Tevin Foster) joined the lot in a battle for supremacy but with a furlong and a half (300m) to go, Fake burst through the pack and went on to win the race easily in the end.
Fake was 3 ¾ lengths ahead of Nakamura and Stickydon at the wire in a time of 1:01.4. It was the first winner this year for McIntosh.
TWELVE HORSES CLAIMED
Donovan Plummer claimed the winner of the first race Okahumpka for owner Winston Lewis for $180,000 from Steven Todd, and Norman Smith claimed Papa Albert for owner Khamoal Nichol, also for $180,000 from Lechester Beech.
In the second race, Plummer claimed Hot Ice for owner New Money Connection from Patrick Taylor, David Powell claimed Silent Cat for owner Richard Whyte from Gary Crawford, and Dale Murphy claimed Nala's Bushman for owner Vincent Lawrence from Ryan Darby. All three horses were claimed for $400,000 each.
Dale Murphy claimed Kay Boy for owner Bronx Connection from Anthony Nunes, Alford Brown claimed Lightning McQueen for himself from Delroy Waugh, and Wilfred Chin claimed Azaria for owner Busy Racing Stable from Ralph Porter. Kay Boy, Lightning McQueen, and Azaria were claimed for $1 million each.
In the seventh race, Dennis Thwaites claimed Storm Valley for owner Carlton Watson from Tyrone Prince, Plummer claimed Cup A Soup for owner New Money Connection from Steven Todd, Anthony Smith claimed Sir Frederick for himself from Nunes, and Plummer claimed Sly Stalloon for owner Glendon Drummond from Stedman Curtis. All horses from the seventh event were claimed for $250,000 each.
