KINGSTON, Jamaica – It was not the anticipated “sparkling” run by the Ralph Porter trained Sparkle Diamond in the first race of nine which was just completed at Caymanas Park a short while ago.
Racing in a Restricted Stakes event for three-year-olds – non-winners of three over five furlongs straight, Sparkle Diamond trained by Ralph Porter was slowly out of the gates but regular jockey Shane Ellis got the American importee going after two furlongs.
Bold Aflair challenged but Sparkle Diamond was going best of all to win by 2 ¾.
After the race Ellis said it was a case of the horse’s class and fitness which allowed him to win.
“Sparkle Diamond does not love the five straight. He prefers going longer, so I just asked him to do what was required today and he won,” Ellis said while admitted that he was not worried after Sparkle Diamond was slowly out of the gates.
This was the third consecutive win by Sparkle Diamond.
Second was Bold Aflair with Splendid Vision third.
The winning time was 59.2 seconds.
| RACE 1 REST STAKES (3-YEAR-OLDS) 1000MS/5FURLONGS ST 1:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos. | No. | Horse | Jockey | Odds | Win | Place | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Sparkle Diamond | Shane Ellis | 1-9 | $50 | $50.00 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 6 | Bold Aflair | Christopher Mamdeen | 16-1 | $50.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 7 | Splendid Vision | Natalie Berger | 20-1 | $50 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | Lady Blue | Omar Walker | 6-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 3 | Rojorn di Pilot | Raddesh Roman | 13-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TRAINER: Ralph Porter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Splits:22.3 x 45.3 - Time: 59.2 - Margins: 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 - 7 RAN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ex:$374 | T/Fecta:$640 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
