EASY DOES IT FOR WHATEVER
Owned and trained by Ryan Williams, Whatever easily brushed aside rivals in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) spread over 7 furlongs (1,400m).
It was a prominent start for Whatever as jockey Roger Hewitt held the seven-year-old bay mare in third place down the backstretch behind Devine Lexie (Andree Powell) and Avery and Ayan (Aaron Chatrie). Running the inside rails, Whatever surged to the lead approaching the half-mile (800m) and began to open up on rivals running the turn.
With no real challengers, Whatever turned for home with a big advantage, and went on to win by 5 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:32.0. Kunama (Shane Richardson) came on well for second place ahead of Ali (Javaniel Patterson) in third spot.
ONE DON A WINNER IN CLAIMING
After finishing a head second to Baton Rouge on July 17, four-year-old American-bred chestnut colt One Don went one better in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) race going 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Dane Dawkins, One Don settled in third place just off the pace as Gentle Giant (Paul Francis) showed the way ahead of Victoriasmedallion (Javaniel Patterson). One Don then improved one place to second, navigating the half-mile before laying down his challenge in deep stretch.
One Don picked up the lead at the furlong pole and powered his way home to score by 3 lengths ahead of Gentle Giant and Killer Bee (Roger Hewitt) in a time of 1:15.0.
EQUIPMENT CHANGE MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR NORTH LONDON
North London, running with the visor on, got up in the nick of time to win a native-bred three-year-old maiden special weight (Division 1) contest travelling down the 5 furlong (1,000m) straight chute.
North London came away in good order at the break but had to settle behind the pacesetters as Dream of Paris (Paul Francis) set the fractions ahead of Noa Li, the mount of Dick Cardenas.
Crossing the dummy rails, moving on to the main track, Noa Li picked up the lead and looked strong on the front end, but jockey Matthew Bennett produced North London for a last effort and the Ryan Darby trainee got up in time to beat Noa Li by a head at the wire.
Dream of Paris finished in third place as the final time was recorded at 1:01.1.
ALEXA’S LODGE IN ONE TILT
Five-year-old chestnut mare Alexa’s Lodge led from start to finish in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($750,000-$600,000) event over 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).
With Dick Cardenas in the saddle for trainer Al Brown, Alexa’s Lodge jumped to the lead and held the front end narrowly ahead of Secret Traveller (Roger Hewitt), Don Almighty (Linton Steadman), and D’s Choice (Omar Walker). Alexa’s Lodge stepped on the gas and began to open up on the field going into the half-mile turn.
Turning for home with a good enough lead, Alexa’s Lodge eased home by a length and a quarter in a time of 1:21.0. Secret Traveller finished second and D’s Choice was third.
NINE HORSES CLAIMED
Keffin Murray claimed the winner of the second race Whatever for owner Nicholas Miller from Ryan Williams for $250,000, and Ryan Darby claimed Devine Lexie for owner Alphanso Raymond from Donovan Plummer, also for $250,000.
In the fourth race, Phillip Lee claimed Gentle Giant for owner Phillip Edwards from Ryan Darby, Joseph Thomas claimed It’s All I for owner K & A Syndicate from Byron Davis, Michael Beecham claimed Fabulosity for owner David Pottinger from Dennis Thwaites, Marlon Anderson claimed Killer Bee for owner Yehert Miller, also from Davis; and Donovan Russell claimed One Don for owner Junior Golding from Gary Subratie. All horses from the fourth race were claimed for $550,000.
Phillip Lee claimed Alexa’s Lodge for owner Robert Williams from Alford Brown for $750,000; while Jason DaCosta claimed Inspired Miracle for owner Elizabeth DaCosta from Ian Alexander, also for $750,000 from the seventh event.
