KINGSTON, Jamaica - After failing to connect in his first eight races on local soil, Keffin Murray’s American-bred Genealogy made good on his ninth outing as he made light work of a Restricted Allowance five-year-old and upwards non-winners of two and imported maidens call going a mile (1,600m), on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at Caymanas Park.
Genealogy’s first true sign of potential came on his 2023 seasonal bow, when he came from off the pace to complete a one-two finish for his owner-trainer Murray over the 5-furlong (1,000m) straight course.
He returned on January 29 when he was highly expected to prove competitive over 6 furlongs but ejected the jockey shortly after the start, which left many wondering about his chances heading into Sunday’s assignment.
However, with nothing too impressive in the small six-horse field, Genealogy, who was held third by apprentice Shavon Townsend for the first two furlongs, was sent in front at the six-furlong point and from there went about his business, leaving rivals to toil.
The Data Link – Surfer’s Paradise progeny won by five lengths ahead of Another Champion (Tevin Foster), Hopenperseverance (Christopher Mamdeen), and Stickydon (Anthony Thomas).
The final time was 1:47.3, behind splits of 24.3, 48.1 and 1:15.1.
Townsend also won the third event, a three-year-old maiden special weight event for colts and geldings aboard Dale Murphy’s fleet-footed Ridge Liner in a gate-to-wire effort over 5-furlong straight.
Ridge Liner won by five-and-a-half lengths ahead of Truly Begotten Son (Roger Hewitt), Roaring Thunder (Robert Halledeen), and Curlin’s Noon (Tevin Foster). He covered the distance in 1:02.0, after splits of 24.0 and 48.0 seconds. Murray’s double was completed with KP Choice who topped the day’s final event for four-year-old and upwards non-winner of three races and imported non-winner of two races, also over 5-furlong straight.
The Patrick Calder and Richard Brown-owned KP Choice won by two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of the Phillip Feanny pair of Talona (Anthony Thomas) and Lacrimae (Tevin Foster), with Rum Puncher (Oshane Nugent) completing the frame. He stopped the clock in 1:00.3, behind splits of 23.0 and 47.0 seconds.
