NO PROBLEMS FOR OKAHUMPKA
Eight-year-old chestnut gelding Okahumpka led from start to finish in an Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) spread for five-year-old and upwards over 3 ½ furlongs (700m).
Jockey Dane Dawkins hustled the Ian Parsard-conditioned Okahumpka to take up a slim lead ahead of Chief of State (Romario Spencer), Fourthousand (Oshane Nugent), and Freedom for Eds, the mount of Anthony Thomas.
As the runners sorted themselves out crossing the dummy rails, Okahumpka (Nuclear Wayne – Sure To Cure) edged away to score by two lengths ahead of Schlesinger (Shane Richardson) and Rockdale, ridden by Sadiki Blake. The final time for the race was 43.1.
SHASHAMANI DANCE CREATES MILD UPSET
Owned and trained by Linton Calder, Shashamani Dance created a mild upset when beating her more fancied rivals in a five-year-old and upwards(non-winners of two) call travelling six furlongs (1,200m).
Sent off at odds of 9/2 in a small field of five runners, Shashamani Dance broke well under Roger Hewitt and disputed the early lead with Silverstine (Matthew Bennett). Approaching the half-mile (800m), Shashamani Dance was overtaken by Audibility (Phillip Parchment), who went to challenge Silverstine running the bend.
Turning for home, Shashamani Dance hugged the inside rails and came with a strong run in deep stretch to win the race, going away by six lengths in a time of 1:19.4. Silverstine finished second with Valiant (Romario Spencer) third. Stacyslady (Shavon Townsend) stood up in the gates and took no part in the race.
JAXSON IS OFF THE MARK
Jaxson (Strikewhileitshot – Appassionata), after seven career starts, finally found his head in front at the wire in a native-bred four-year-old and upwards Maiden Condition Race at seven furlongs (1,400m).
With Dane Dawkins riding for trainer Michael Marlowe, Jaxson jumped straight to the front at the off, setting the pace ahead of Bubbly Girl (Jordan Barrett), Magic Bullet (Reyan Lewis), and Six Avenue (Roger Hewitt) down the backstretch.
Magic Bullet then challenged Jaxson for the lead approaching the distance. A battle of supremacy then developed in deep stretch between the two, with Jaxson moving away to win by ¾ length in a time of 1:32.3. Magic Bullet, who had finished second, was disqualified and placed out of the race for causing interference to Silver Soul, which resulted in the fall of jockey Shane Richardson.
Pro Johnny (Tevin Foster) was promoted to second place and Military Shot (Matthew Bennett) third.
KATALINA GOES ONE BETTER
After finishing second to Mine That Cat over a mile (1,600m) on July 2, Katalina returned and went one better in a four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) call over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m).
Katalina (Ride On Curlin – Alienate), trained by Gary Grawford and ridden by Omar Walker, broke from her starting barrier, sitting just behind Bunksy Boy (Jemar Jackson), leaving the intersection at the seven-furlong marker. Katalina then surged to the front at the six-furlong (1,200m) with Heavenly Glitter (Paul Francis) and Khai Alexis (Tevin Foster) following.
Katalina upped the tempo navigating the half-mile turn, but was quickly surrounded by Heavenly Glitter in deep stretch. Walker dug deep, pushing harder and Katalina rallied to win by two lengths at the wire.
Heavenly Glitter was second and Khai Alexis finished third. The final time was 1:34.3.
EIGHT HORSES CLAIMED
In the first race, Steven Todd claimed Chief of State for owner Ivan Rowe from Joseph Durrant, Ryan Darby claimed winner Okahumpka for owner Patrick Hall from Ian Parsard, and Owen Dawes claimed Ali for owner David Reid from Cashbert Khwalsingh. All three horses from the first event were claimed for $180,000 each.
Colin Ferguson claimed Solid Approach for owner The Seeker for $1 million from Gary Crawford from the sixth race.
In the ninth race, Patrick Taylor claimed the winner Hot Ice for owner Donnette Yee from Patrick Fong, Christopher Pierre claimed Diligent for owner O’neil Markland from Gary Griffiths, Michael Marlowe claimed Lazer Light for owner Patrick Calder from Richard Phillipps, and Gary Crawford claimed Tradition for himself from Everal Francis. All horses were claimed for $400,000 each.
