A FIRST WIN FOR TRAINER PETER MCMASTER
Trainer Peter McMaster notched his first win for the season when his charge Ras Emanuel won the Pick3 “Challenge” Trophy, a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($1m-$800,000) race going one mile (1,600m).
Ridden by Nicholas Hibbert, Ras Emanuel settled in fourth place down the backstretch behind Bern Notice (Anthony Thomas), Kay Boy (Paul Francis), and High Diplomacy, the mount of Linton Steadman. Ras Emanuel improved one spot to third going into the half-mile (800m) turn before picking up the lead at the seven-sixteenth marker.
Ras Emanuel opened a four-length lead entering the drive, and although he began to shorten in the final stages of the race, the 10-year-old bay horse held on, winning by a neck from the fast-finishing Sheboom (Youville Pinnock).
Chinamax, ridden by Phillip Parchment, finished in third place as the final time was recorded at 1:42.1.
SAMANTHA FLETCHER CONTINUES HER PROGRESS
Samantha Fletcher continued to exhibit her progress in the saddle after booting home her 13th win for the season aboard Snowflakes in the Pick3 “Easy To Play” Trophy, a four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) call at five furlongs (1,000m) round.
Fletcher drove the Colin Ferguson-trained Snowflakes to the front as soon as the gates opened, holding a slim lead ahead of Sure Curlin (Youville Pinnock), with Tiz Dancer (Javaniel Patterson) and Legal Opportunity (Omar Walker) chasing going into the turn.
Approaching the distance, Snowflakes opened up rivals and looked strong on the lead. Snowflakes then had to fight off the challenge from Sure Curlin but was comfortable winning by 2 ¼ lengths. Tiz Dancer finished third as the final time was recorded at 1:02.3.
TAURUS BOY FINALLY FINDS THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE
Taurus Boy, after finishing a head second to Johncrowjeff over 7 furlongs (1,400m) on November 6, went one better in the native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of four) event.
At the start of the 5 1/2 furlong - call, jockey Anthony Thomas had the Philip Feanny-trained Taurus Boy in third place behind the quick Magical Mood (Samantha Fletcher) and Ring Charmer (Jordan Barrett).
Thomas then sent down Taurus Boy in second place in pursuit of Magical Mood, who was navigating the half-mile turn, looking dangerous coming off the final bend. Taurus Boy took the lead at the furlong pole after Magical Mood failed to kick in deep stretch, but had to hold off Ring Charmer and Charmin Beauty (Dane Dawkins).
At the wire, Taurus Boy won by a length ahead of Ring Charmer and Charmin Beauty in time of 1:07.3.
WAR OF THE ROSES AT PEACE WITH VICTORY
Trained by Dennis Thwaites and ridden by Robert Halledeen, War of the Roses easily obliged as the favourite in the Pick-3 “Simple Ting Fi Win” Trophy, a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) spread going 7 furlongs (1,400m).
Down the backstretch, War of The Roses was slotted in third and watched as Reggae Gone Grammy (Oneil Mullings) set the splits ahead of Shashamani Dance (Christopher Mamdeen). Leaving the half-mile marker, War of the Roses, who was running on the inside rails, slipped down into second place behind new leader Shashamani Dance.
War of the Roses cut the turn coming into the lane and hit another gear in deep stretch, running out an easy winner by 10 lengths at the wire in a time of 1:31.1. Shashamani Dance was second, and Ali (Javaniel Patterson) finished third.
FIVE HORSES CLAIMED
Michael Marlowe claimed Ras Emanual from Peter McMaster for $1 million for himself from the first race.
In the fourth race, Anthony Nunes claimed War of The Roses from Dennis Thwaites for $250,000 from himself.
In the sixth race, Jason DaCosta claimed Versatile Vision for owner Rohan Daley from Nicholas Smith; Henry Harrison Jr claimed Rum Puncher for owner Winston Taylor from Richard Azan; and Smith claimed Oldkingcole for owner Henry Mitto from Anthony Nunes. All claims in the sixth event went for $750,000 each.
