KINGSTON, Jamaica – The first-ever three consecutive race days at Caymanas Park got underway on Saturday, April 16, 2022, with nine races.
Below is THE QUICK GALLOPER’S race by race analysis.
RACE ONE – This three-year-old maiden contest was the first occasion the three-year-old grouping was venturing two turns – nine furlongs and 25 yards. A bold front running effort by Prince Sanjay (Romario Spencer) at odds of 6-1 brought victory for trained Steven Todd. Todd got off to a rollicking start as his other starter Sir Tajay (Roger Hewitt) finished second to compete a one-two result. The two favourites in this event El Cid and Asurety were no-shows, finishing fourth and fifth respectively. Prince Sanjay was the first of two winners on the day for Todd.
RACE TWO – This event proved to be an easy win for Zabratone, jockey Raddesh Roman and trainer Colin Ferguson. Zabratone was winning his fourth race from 37 starts, while for Ferguson, it was his third in 2022 from 14 starts.
RACE THREE – Jockey Dick Cardenas found the winners’ enclosure on his first ride (Sir Kel) after returning from a four-month break because of an injury.
RACE FOUR – Buckaluck, coming down from a higher claiming group, got the job done over four furlongs. Buckaluck gave champion jockey Anthony Thomas his first of three winners, and was the second for trainer Todd.
RACE FIVE – Thomas immediately made it two wins on the day, partnering Ricky Ricardo to victory for trainer Dennis Thwaites. Ricky Ricardo recorded his fifth career win from 73 starts, while for Thwaites it was his sixth from 30 starts in 2022. Ricky Ricardo was Thomas’ second on the day.
RACE SIX – A well-judged ride by leading jockey Dane Dawkins brought victory for the consistent Patrick Lynch trained, Prosecco. Dawkins is having a breakout season with a noticeable improvement in his riding skills. Dawkins is attached to the stables of Gary Subratie, Ian Parsard, and occasionally Lynch. He is making use of these associations, with his discipline in the mornings and his results on race days. At this relatively early stage in the racing year, Dawkins leads in the championship with Thomas seemingly his main threat. The champion jockey title seems to be boiling down to these two riders.
RACE SEVEN – Baton Rouge decided finally to give a performance worthy enough to win his third race. With Reyan Lewis in the saddle for trainer Jason DaCosta, Baton Rouge came quickly from the 14 draw to take the lead and was never headed after that, galloping strongly in the straight. Again, we see the newly hatched combination of DaCosta and Lewis teaming up for another win. Let’s see where this will go.
RACE EIGHTH – Hover Craft once again demonstrated that age (12) is not a hindrance for him winning a race, especially when the trip is nine furlongs and 25 yards. Hover Craft was winning for the 22nd occasion from 143 starts. Preliminary checks indicate that Hover Craft has won in every year of his 10-year career, earning close to $22 million, meaning he has earned approximately $2.2 million every year for ten years, which is quite an achievement. Supreme Soul, who finished second, was not the beneficiary of a particularly good ride from Kiaman McGregor. McGregor had difficulties understanding the subtleties of riding Supreme Soul, yet it is good to see this former Triple Crown winner getting slowly back to himself. Hover Craft closed a double for DaCosta and a triple for Thomas. The run by Raw Liquid must be mentioned. Raw Liquid at the top of the straight was in the lead and looked as if he was the winner of this one, he then fought on valiantly to finish third. Throughout his career, Raw Liquid has raced over the sprint distances but of late his trainer Maurice Crooks has been stretching out his charge and Raw Liquid has responded well.
RACE NINE – It’s now, two wins from two starts for four-year-old chestnut filly Queen Zan. Trainer Junior Small has waited on this filly and now he is reaping the success of his patience. Congratulations to all the connections of Queen Zan.
