KINGSTON, Jamaica - Trainer Johnny Wilmot saddled his first winner for the season after his charge Storm Valley won a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) race that included six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (maidens) travelling six furlongs (1,200m).
Storm Valley was relaxed by Shane Richardson, racing in third place in the four-horse field at the break. Going into the half-mile turn, Storm Valley began to progress, joining Nina Dorada and Purple Wayne on the front end.
Nina Dorada and Storm Valley pulled away from Purple Wayne as they entered the lane for the last two furlongs (200 m) of the drive. With neither Nina Dorada nor Storm Valley giving anything away, Richardson kept his mount well balanced on the outside, and Storm Valley proved the stronger of the two, winning by a short head.
Purple Wayne finished in third place in a final time of 1:20.3 (23.0 x 49.1).
