KINGSTON, Jamaica – The first-ever three consecutive race days at Caymanas Park closed its doors on Monday, April 18, 2022, with nine races.
Below is THE QUICK GALLOPER’S race by race analysis.
RACE ONE – The bottom of the barrel claimers gathered in the first with Okahumpka coming out an easy winner for trainer Donovan Plummer and apprentice Shane Richardson. For the apprentice, it was his second winner in 2022 from a paltry 31 rides.
RACE TWO – This was an earning exercise run for the imported chestnut filly Double Diva with champion jockey Anthony Thomas holding the reins for trainer Jason DaCosta. Double Diva was never troubled throughout yet she was still able to deliver a noticeable clocking of 1:25.3 for seven furlongs.
RACE THREE – The third proved to be the talking point of the day. Kunda Man with Aaron Chatrie on board for trainer Dale Murphy, went by the winning post 2 ½ lengths in front of Conundrum (Omar Walker). Quickly after, a stewards’ inquiry was announced followed by a jockey’s objection filed by Walker. After a lengthy inquiry, the stewards ruled that Chatrie and Kunda Man had done nothing to deserve disqualification. This decision did not sit well with many punters who thought that Chatrie had impeded the run-on effort of Walker and Conundrum. Kunda Man, the longest odds winner on the day at 39-1, gave Murphy his first of two winners.
RACE FOUR – Jockey Chris Mamdeen, the champion of 2019, was at his relentless best bringing his mount Faulyna Forever racing with the visor on, with a winning late surge to nip Chief of State (Youville Pinnock) by a short head. Faulyna Forever provided her trainer Rudolph Hardial with his first visit to the winners’ enclosure this season from nine starts, and she was also the first for Mamdeen on the day.
RACE FIVE – Aphleios, racing for the first time for his new trainer Anthony Nunes with the visor taken off, demolished four-year-old and upwards (non-two) rivals by 7 ½ lengths. This was the first winner for Nunes on the day.
RACE SIX – The Nunes train started to move full steam ahead when another recent acquisition Amy The Butcher tenderised opponents by 6 ¼ lengths in a four-year-old and upwards call at seven furlongs. It was a delight to see this filly on the track and winning again. Amy The Butcher, as a three-year-old promised much, and did well in two of the major fillies’ Classic races but then her progress was repelled by what THE QUICK GALLOPER believes but cannot confirm at this time, the onset of medical issues. Let’s hope that Amy The Butcher can now fulfil her promise by quickly dispatching non-four, moving on to Overnight Allowance. Amy The Butcher completed a double for Nunes.
RACE SEVEN – The Nunes train sped into the station when Morimoto romped home to release the maiden tag from his second start. Nunes had now delivered a natural hattrick of winners, with the three (Aphelios, Amy The Butcher, and Morimoto winning by a total of 21 lengths.
RACE EIGHT – This was another event in which after the finish, all eyes were trained on the race day stewards. Josh, with Delroy Beharie aboard for trainer Richard Azan, was 2 ½ lengths ahead of his rivals at the winning post. In passing the winning post in front, Josh moved sharply across the running path of first-timer Buzz City Light (Javaniel Patterson). In Josh's case, there was little doubt that disqualification was inevitable. Josh was disqualified and placed fourth and the race awarded to newcomer Degaulle with long-time jockey Ian Spence in the saddle.
RACE NINE - After 26 races over three days, the best was still to come. The final race of 27, saw the emergence, with a strong statement of intent, of foreigner Runaway Algo trained by Dale Murphy. Oozing class and determination, Runaway Algo under the guidance of Chris Mamdeen wasted no time in getting to the lead. When approximately two furlongs were completed Mahogany (Dane Dawkins), making his 2022 debut, pulled alongside Runaway Algo to engage the duo in a private duel in the 5 ½ furlong Overnight Allowance call. In the straight, the tug-o-war between Runaway Algo and Mahogany continued until the former decided enough was enough, and then in a show of his potential and class, Runaway Algo increased his momentum leaving his closest pursuer behind by 1 ¼ lengths. Runaway Algo clocked a fast 1:05.2 with searing splits of 22.4 x 45.3 seconds. This was Runaway Algo’s fourth consecutive victory from five starts. He also closed a double for his jockey and trainer. THE QUICK GALLOPER offers praises to the connections of Runaway Algo for a job well done. It is good to have Runaway Algo in Open Allowance.
