VISOR ON MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR TAPIT GOOD
Running with the visor on, Tapit Good finally brought joy to his connections in Division 1 of a Restricted Maiden Condition event for native-bred three-year-olds who did not earn $260,000 lifetime going six furlongs (1,200m).
Tapit Good left his starting barrier in good order as jockey Dane Dawkins held the chestnut colt in second place behind Keturah (Tevin Foster). Dawkins then sent down the Gary Subratie trainee to pick up the lead passing the five furlongs (1,000m) marker and Tapit Good never looked back thereafter.
Tapit Good proved too strong for the chasing pack, winning by a length and a half in a time of 1:16.0. Finishing second was Givemethelight (Nicholas Hibbert) with Tigray Express (Reyan Lewis) occupying the third slot.
CHRISTOPHER PIERRE IS OFF THE MARK
Trainer Christopher Pierre saddled his first winner for the season after his charge Diligent won a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) call.
Diligent was unable to go with the early pace with jockey Roger Hewitt holding the grey gelding in third place behind tear-away leader Breaking Storm (Dane Dawkins) and Smarty Tradition, the mount of Chris Mamdeen.
Diligent slipped into second place, entering the lane for the final two furlongs, and then produced a strong run in deep stretch to take the event by 5 ½ lengths ahead of Breaking Storm and Kunama (Shane Richardson). The final time for the race was 1:16.3.
CAROL ‘STRIKES’ COMING DOWN THE STRAIGHT
Four-year-old chestnut filly Carol Strike (Strikewhileitshot – Winningittis) outsprinted rivals in a native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) call fillies and mares at five furlongs straight (1,000m).
Carol Strike vied for the early lead along with Sure Curlin (Tevin Foster) and Chiney Music (Jordan Barrett). As the runners sorted themselves out, Carol Strike emerged as the lone leader ahead of Chiney Music, Hopenperseverance (Prince Holder), and Sure Curlin passing the dummy rails.
On the main track, Carol Strike went on to win easily by 5 ½ lengths in a time of 1:00.1 with Chiney Music getting second place and Sure Curlin finishing third.
TRAINER DONOVAN RUSSELL NOTCHES HIS 7th WIN
Trainer Donovan Russell saddled his seventh winner for the season after Sheer Beauty, ridden by Dick Cardenas, won a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) event travelling five furlongs straight.
The five-year-old chestnut mare Sheer Beauty raced prominently with the leader at the off, matching strides with Papito (Anthony Thomas) and Ultimatum (Samantha Fletcher). Approaching the dummy rails, Sheer Beauty and Ultimatum drew away from the field into a battle of their own with Wifey Sez So (Aaron Chatrie) and Papito doing their best to follow.
Inside the final furlong, Sheer Beauty shook off the challenge from Ultimatum but then had to withstand the late surge from Duke of Spring (Mario Chong) and Wifey Sez So. Sheer Beauty held strong to take the event in a time of 1:01.3.
SIX HORSES CLAIMED
In the second race Steven Todd claimed Diligent for owner Delroy Wellington from Christopher Pierre, Phillip Elliott claimed Smarty Tradition for himself from Owen Dawes, and Phillip Elliott claimed Breaking Storm for owner Andrew Elliott from Howard McLeod. All horses from the second event were claimed for $250,000 each.
Phillip Elliott claimed Aphelios for owner Andrew Elliott from Anthony Nunes for $750,000 from the fifth race.
In the sixth race, Byron Davis claimed It’s All I for owner Andrew Elliott for $550,000 from Joseph Thomas, and Fitzgerald Richards claimed D’s Choice for owner Liberan Connection for $500,000 from Alford Brown.
