MARIO CHONG OFF THE MARK
Jockey Mario Chong rode his first winner for the season aboard the Winchester McIntosh-conditioned Papa Albert in an Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) spread over 3 ½ furlongs (700m).
Papa Albert broke slowly at the start racing behind Highly Bless (Ruja Lahoe), Princess Statistic (Roger Hewitt), and Freedom for Eds (Matthew Bennett). The oldster then coupled up nicely after the first furlong and a half (300m) to be just in touch of the leaders crossing the dummy rails.
Chong got Papa Albert going as the nine-year-old chestnut gelding cruised home to score by 3 ¾ lengths in a time of 43.1. Finishing second was Highly Bless in a tight finish ahead of Freedom for Eds and Fourthousand (Anthony Thomas).
HEART OF A LION SCORES EASILY
Four-year-old chestnut gelding Heart of a Lion easily brushed aside rivals in a four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) contest at 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).
Well away at the off, the Jason DaCosta-conditioned Heart of a Lion tracked the leaders from third place behind Bigmanbiden (Andre’ Martin) and King Antholew (Dane Dawkins). Heart of a Lion maintained his steady gallop down the backstretch before going down into second place ahead of King Antholew in chase of the leaders approaching the half-mile.
Turning for home, Heart of a Lion hit the front ahead of Bigmanbiden and powered clear in a runaway win by 4 ¼ lengths. Bigmanbiden finished in second spot and King Antholew third. The final time was 1:21.4.
NYLA THE DANCER GOES ONE BETTER
After finishing a close second to Charmin Beauty over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m) on June 11, Nyla The Dancer returned and went one better in a four-year-old and upwards Maiden Condition race travelling 6 ½ furlongs.
Trained by Colin Ferguson and ridden by Daniel Satchell was off to a fair start as the four-year-old grey filly raced in second place following behind leader Blue Seas (Omar Simpson) down the backstretch. Jaxon (Andre Powell) and Mardele (Samantha Fletcher) raced next.
Going into the half-mile (800m) turn, Blue Seas and Nyla The Dancer drew clear from the rest of the field in a control battle. Blue Seas kicked at the top of the lane, opening up off the rail, with Nyla The Dancer and Longie Lala (Dane Dawkins) on the outside.
Blue Seas then shortened inside the final furlong, Nyla The Dancer seized the opportunity and surged to the front, but had to hold off Longie Lala for the win. Blue Seas was third. The winning time was 1:24.2.
SUPERLUMINAL NOTCHES 18TH CAREER WIN
Ten-year-old bay horse Superluminal, trained by Dennis Thwaites, registered his 18th career win in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($750,000-$600,000) race over seven furlongs (1,400m).
Installed as the firm 1/2 favourite after stepping down from the $1-million claiming bracket, Superluminal, under Omar Walker, emerged as the leader from a tight grouping at the six-furlong (1,200m) point in the race.
Superluminal then began to open ahead of Jamai Raja (Kiaman McGregor) and Fearless Champion (Reyan Lewis) down the backstretch and into the half-mile. Superluminal then was challenged by Blood Fire in deep stretch but the old-timer with many years of experience found another gear and edged away to win by 2 ¼ lengths.
Blood Fire was second and High Diplomacy (Andre’ Martin) third, with the final recorded at 1:27.3.
NINE HORSES CLAIMED
Donovan Russell claimed winner of the first race Papa Albert for owner Charles Walsh for $180,000 from Winchester McIntosh.
In the fourth race, O’Neil Markland claimed Sharp Skirt for himself from Michael McIntosh; Dennis Thwaites claimed Stanislaus for owner Elizabeth DaCosta from Lincoln Lungs; Steven Todd claimed Broken Light for owner Delroy Wellington from Roy Mathews; Nicholas Smith claimed Gentle Giant for owner Henry Mitto from Ryan Darby; and Henry Harrison Jr claimed winner City Counsel for himself from Gary Griffiths. All horses were claimed for $400,000 each.
Leroy Tomlinson claimed Blood Fire for himself for $750,000 from Delroy Waugh; Victor Williams claimed winner Superluminal for owner Hugal Douglas for $750,000 from Dennis Thwaites; and Delroy Wisdom claimed High Diplomacy for owner Clifton McLeish, also for $750,000, from Joseph Thomas from the sixth race.
