RACE ONE – Punters were off to a roughish start when Youville Pinnock brought home one of the claiming greats Balazo at odds of 8-1 for trainer Fitzgerald “Treadie” Richards. Pinnock drawn at two in a field of 12, moved across rivals without causing any interference and in a flash was racing on the stand rails. Another winner for the accomplished Richards, who by now must be catching the attention of the top owners. Well done, Sir!
RACE TWO – This event turned out to be canter run for the Steven Todd trained, Robert Halledeen ridden Okahumpka. It was career win number six for Okahumpka from 59 starts.
RACE THREE – Old stager (nine-year-old) Diligent earned his sixth-career win from 63 starts under the guidance of the always swashbuckling Phillip Parchment for trainer Gary Griffiths.
RACE FOUR – Bin Laden completed his third win in a row dating back to July 2021, which is a credit to the capabilities of his trainer and one-time top and big race jockey Fitzroy Glispie. Glispie, in recent times has cut his stock of horses but is still able to produce. The race turned out to be a duel between Bin Laden (Anthony Thomas) and XY Soul (Shane Ellis). The latter chased for most of the way behind Bin Laden, but got the edge with about a furlong left, but Bin Laden under strong urgings from Thomas fought gallantly to retake the lead close home. For Thomas, it was his first on the day, and his fourth in the last 13 races.
RACE FIVE – It was another ‘cat’ moment for trainer | owner Carl ‘The Cat Man’ Anderson, this time Tocatbetheglory with Shane Richardson. What was of significant about this race for THE QUICK GALLOPER was the performance of Richardson, the valedictorian of his apprentice batch, and his use of the whip. Coming from well off the pace, Tocatbetheglory had to run on, and in doing so, Richardson rarely used his whip, in fact, he hit Tocatbetheglory three times, and still won handily.
RACE SIX – Based on this winning effort by Buzz City Light in a maiden three-year-old (five furlongs straight), he may well turn out to be the best of the Buzz Nightmare sired offspring. Of note, Buzz City Light was racing for the second occasion, and the first time coming from the shedrow of leading trainer Jason DaCosta. Buzz City Light was the second winner on the day thus far for champion Anthony Thomas.
RACE SEVEN – Moneyman racing for the second time this year ran out an easy winner with Anthony Thomas in the saddle for trainer David Lee Sin. Moneyman closed a triple for Thomas, while for Lee Sin it was his first from only five starts.
RACE EIGHT – The clash of the best in training in the 7 ½ furlongs Seeking My Dream Trophy brought victory to the Philip Feanny trained, Paul Francis ridden I’ve Got Magic. Feanny has found his mojo again in the top class with I’ve Got and Excessive Force, who finished fifth in this race, leading his winning surge in the major top class trophy races. It was “Country” Francis at his best, as he kept, I’ve Got Magic going and was able to get the best from his mount in the final strides. Second in this race was Runaway Algo. This foreigner was the only three-year-old in the contest, and remember, this is only May, he was racing at this level for the first time, plus this was his sixth overall start. In the future, anything from five furlongs to a mile, this Runaway Algo is going to be difficult to beat. Further and Beyond, the reigning Horse of the Year, ran well below par once more.
RACE NINE – With the 2000 Guineas having no clear-cup favourite, Morimoto came forward with a strong statement with his second win from three starts. This victory by Morimoto must have brought some relief to his trainer champion Anthony Nunes, who is presently going through a rough passage, but such is racing.
