KINGSTON, Jamaica – A strong final rattle from well off the pace by Blood Song ridden by claiming apprentice Romario Spencer was enough to bring victory in the third race – an Optional Claiming event ($450,000 - $400,000) for owners Super Kids and trainer Patrick Fong as the 2019 Gold Cup race day continued at Caymanas Park.
Sotomayor the 6-5 favourite with Aaron Chatrie in the saddle went to the front immediately after the starter let them go in the one-mile contest.Sotomayor led easily until rounding the bend leaving the half-mile point when Luana (Anthony Thomas) surged ahead.
In the straight it was Luana in front but the four-year-old filly started to shut off and was eventually nabbed by Blood Song. Third went to Mirabilis (Reyan Lewis) with Sotomayor, the 2016 champion two-year-old, fourth. Sotomayor was claimed from the race for $400,000.
It was the second winner for Spencer this season and fourth for trainer Fong.
| RACE 3 OPT CLM $450-$400,000 (3YO&UP) (NB5YO/NW3) 1,600M/8FUR 1:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos. | No. | Horse | Jockey | Odds | Win | Place | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 7 | Blood Song | Romario Spencer | 6-1 | $370 | $98 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 9 | Luana | Anthony Thomas | 4-1 | $219 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 8 | Mirabilis | Reyan Lewis | 6-1 | $117 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 5 | Sotomayor | Aaron Chatrie | 6-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 2 | Ballon d'Or | Christopher Mamdeen | 7-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TRAINER: Patrick Fong | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Splits:24.3 x 48.2 x 1:14.2 - Time: 1:43.2 - Margins: 1 1/4 x 3 - 9 RAN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EX:$4,858 | T/Fecta:3,805 | S/Fecta:$16,494 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| D/E:$1,134 | Triple:$4,104 | Hi-5:c/o$49,576.80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
