RACE ONE – This three-year-old and upwards claimer ($550,000 - $400,000) at seven furlongs reinforced Olde Wharf’s likeness for the mid-range distances. For the trainer of this bay horse Renex Burrell, it was his second win this season from 17 starts. Jockey Oshane Nugent enjoyed his fifth trip to the winners’ circle from 74 rides. Nugent has not been getting the rides he needs of late and is rarely used by the top trainers. Then again, this game of horse racing is always cyclic in nature and his time will come once more.
RACE TWO – A hard-driving victory for Smoke Haze with Robert Halledeen in the saddle for his first of two wins on the day. Trainer Donovan Plummer has been having a successful year with nine wins from 84 starts.
RACE THREE – This four-year-old maiden contest saw the Ryan Darby trained Fearless Vibe, a first-time user of Lasix, power home to notch her first victory in 11 starts. The fortunes of jockey Omar “Champo” Walker continue to rise as Fearless Vibe was his first of three winners on the Saturday card.
RACE FOUR – The fourth turned out to be a reincarnation win for little-used jockey Sadiki Blake on Willodeen trained by Wilfred Chin. Blake has only mounted up three times this year, while the veteran Chin secured his third win from 21 starts.
RACE FIVE – A peach of a ride from well off the pace by Dick Cardenas brought victory for Maya conditioned by Dennis Thwaites at the rarely traversed distance of nine furlongs and 25 yards, especially for four-year-olds (non-winners of two). Thwaites has been having the best run of his career with eight winners from 60 starts.
RACE SIX – In the racing year of 2022, race fans are seeing many of the aged warriors finding themselves in the winners’ enclosure. In the sixth race, a high-level claimer (7 ½ furlongs) provided the opportunity for ten-year-old bay horse Superluminal to record his 17th win from 70 starts, with gross earnings now exceeding $15 million. A former winner of the St Leger, Superluminal displayed all his fighting qualities and stubbornness under the guidance of his beloved partner Omar Walker to thwart the persistent challenge of Anthony Thomas on Tomohawk. This was the second winner on the day for both Walker and trainer Dennis Thwaites.
RACE SEVEN – This three-year-old maiden event (5 ½ furlongs) saw Hidden Valley breaking her ‘ducks’ with the figure 8 off. Again, it was an accomplished ride by Dane Dawkins who piloted Hidden Valley to the winning post in front for trainer Richard Azan. To be noted was the performance of Wowtastic, a half-sister to prolific winner Wow Wow. Watch Wowtastic the next occasion she races.
RACE EIGHT – It was Robert Halledeen at his best with a patient, yet strong and rousing ride atop the Robert Pearson trained Alexa’s Secret. Coming from well off the pace, Alexa’s Secret racing for the second time found a burst in the final furlong and a half to nab Zion Princess. It was Halledeen’ second winner on the day.
RACE NINE – The 1000 Guineas will be the subject of an independent article.
RACE TEN – This race was named after former Derby winner Distinctly Irish and brought together seven runners at nine furlongs and 25 yards at the Open Allowance Graded Stakes level. I Am Fred (Reyan Lewis) after a dismal run in his race before this one, found himself again under a good ride by Lewis. Before the start of this trophy event, racing fans found out that I Am Fred’s lukewarm performance was mainly due to an incident while in the gates when he damaged his mouth and could not effectively take the bit during that effort. With no such issues this time, the foreigner demonstrated his worth with a strong display. Winner number one on the day for trainer Jason DaCosta. DaCosta had a one-two finish as Billy Whizz (Anthony Thomas) finished second.
RACE ELEVEN – Jockey Omar Walker closed his triple by putting Sir John into the lead from the gates opened and thereafter was never in danger of losing. For the connections of Sir John, it was a welcome relief as this was only his third win from 32 starts. Sir John completed a double for trainer Jason DaCosta.
