KINGSTON, Jamaica – A well-judged and executed ride by champion jockey Christopher Mamdeen on Sentient crowned a glorious Saturday race day for trainer Gary Subratie.
Sentient a four-year-old chestnut colt by Strikeitwhileitshot – Lady Geetadeo, after his arduous three-year-old Classic attempts in 2019, and racing for the first time in 2020 was kept well off the pace set by Kingsman (Kiaman McGregor – 2-1).
They were competing in an Optional Claiming contest which had a tag of $1,000,000 - $850,000. The competing distance was seven-and-a-half furlongs.
Leaving the half-mile pole McGregor kicked Kingsman on in an attempt to steal a march on rivals.
Mamdeen still waited at this point. The champion jockey bided his time until the three-furlong marker was passed and then with a surge brought the now bubbling Sentient closer to Kingsman.
In the straight, with two furlongs left in the race, Mamdeen got Sentient to full throttle and the improving four-year-old lengthened his strides to get by a game Kingsman.
Sentient pulled away to earn a credible victory by 2 ¾ lengths in a reasonable time of 1:31.2.
Kingsman finished second with Dysfunctional taking the third spot.
Sentient was the third winner on the day for Subratie. His other winners were Cleopatra’s Child and Bold Aflair. The latter two being US bred horses.
