ALEXA’S LODGE CREATES MILD UPSET
Trained by Phillip Lee and ridden by Ramon Nepare, Alexa’s Lodge created a mild upset when defeating her more fancied rivals in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($1m-$800,000) call over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Alexa’s Lodge raced prominently in second place behind Lightning McQueen (Abigail Able) when the starter sent the horses on their way before taking up the running going into the half-mile (800m) turn. Alexa’s Lodge then began to open up on rivals and turned for home with a clear advantage. Alexa’s Lodge, with no real challengers to test her in deep stretch, cruised home by 5 lengths ahead of Kay Boy (Paul Francis) and True Al Sky, the mount of Tevin Foster. The final time for the race was a smooth 1:06.3.
TEKAPUNT IN THE NICK OF TIME
Three-year-old bay gelding Tekapunt got going late under strong handling by jockey Phillip Parchment to steal the march in a native-bred three-year-old and four-year-old (non-winners of four) Restricted Stakes event going 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).
Trainer by Jason DaCosta, Tekapunt (Northern Giant – Just A Flutter) was unable to match strides with the pacesetters and had to race off the pace as Awesome Rich (Jemar Jackson) led ahead of Luksol (Robert Halledeen) and Talona (Youville Pinnock).
Talona surged to the front going into the half-mile, ahead of Awesome Rich and Luksol, and looked strong turning for home. With a furlong to go, Tekapunt started to gain significantly on the leading pack with Parchment splitting rivals to earn the win by a short head in the final hop to the line.
Slammer (Omar Walker), also came on the scene late took second place with Luksol third, in a final time of 1:20.3. Note, Talona finished second but was disqualified and placed fourth for causing interference and intimidation to Luksol.
ATONEMENT IN ONE SHAKE AT ODDS OF 18-1
Atonement, who was overlooked at odds of 18-1, made one move in the Montego Bay Cruise, a native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) event down the five-straight (1,000 m) course.
Atonement broke well under jockey Jordan Barrett and disputed the early lead with Chandra’s Law (Anthony Thomas), Silver Fox (Andre Powell) and JJThestriker (Phillip Parchment). Coming across the dummy rails, Atonement began to pull away from the competition and powered home to win easily by 5 lengths.
JJThestriker finished in second place and Cataba, ridden by Dick Cardenas ended in the third spot. The final time for the event was a decent clocking of 59.1 seconds.
SARGE IN CHARGE A WINNER AFTER EQUIPMENT CHANGE
Sarge in Charge, running with the blinkers on, had no competition when scoring in a native-bred maiden contest travelling 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Jockey Andre Powell broke the Phillip Lee-owned and trained Sarge in Charge in third place at the off behind Without Remorse (Kawise Gentle) and Code of Conduct (Christopher Mamdeen). Sarge in Charge bided his time going into the half-mile turn before surging to the front of the field turning for home.
Sarge in Charge never gave up his gallop in deep stretch and ran out an easy 2¾-length winner. True Rylie (Shane Ellis) finished second and FriendoftheFamily (Richard Byrd) finished third. The final time was clocked at 1:15.3 seconds.
ONE HORSE CLAIMED
Lincoln Lungs claimed True Al Sky for owner Kyle Brown for $1 million from Alford Brown from the first race.
