KINGSTON, Jamaica - ROBERT “Hardball” Halledeen booted his 400th career winner on Saturday, February 18, 2023, but in keeping with the focus that has seen him become one of Caymanas Park’s top-notch jockeys, he was quick to turn to the task ahead.
Halledeen piloted the Robert Pearson-conditioned Rani Bangala to victory in the day’s fifth event to ring up the milestone. He brought Rani Bangala with a telling run to beat long-time leader Traveller’s Lodge (Shavon Townsend) in the native-bred four-year-old and upwards Maiden Condition race over five and a half furlongs (1,100m).
Rani Bangala, bred by Savoy Stomp out of the Traditional mare Palace Gold, sat close to the leader navigating the half-mile (800m) turn before finding top stride in the final furlong (200m) to hit the wire a length and a quarter ahead of Traveller’s Lodge. The WB Racing owned bay filly finished in a time of 1:10.1. Blue Sky, under Prince “Daggerman” Holder, finished in third place.
Halledeen then made it win number 401 in the next race aboard Whizz Kidd, trained by champion trainer Jason DaCosta, in a maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-olds over five furlongs (1,000m) round.
Whizz Kidd came from behind horses to beat Natural Dancer (Reyan Lewis) by three quarters of a length in a time of 1:02.4. Exotic Light (Matthew Bennett), a 99-1 long shot, was a length and three quarters adrift in third place.
The multiple Classic-winning jockey Halledeen, while thanking his supporters, said that success only comes with hard work and so he is committed to his profession.
“Once you are confident and committed to your task ahead, you can win races — a lot of races. I have always backed myself to do great things, and I believe that,” Halledeen said.
“I must thank all the trainers, owners, grooms, jockeys — basically everyone who has been supporting me throughout the years,” continued Halledeen who had started his career in 2009.
Pearson said it was quite a joy for him to be a part of Halledeen’s landmark achievement.
“Robert has been my rider for the longest time and it’s very fitting for him to win his 400 on one of my horses. I am very happy for him. He is a very good rider, an underachiever, and I think he should be a champion jockey in Jamaica,” Pearson said with confidence.
Commenting on the performance of his charge, Rani Bangala, Pearson said: “It was a good performance by her to break the maiden tag. She took some time to get going, and I know that she is going to need it a little longer so we will gradually stretch her out.”
