ARIMA, Trinidad (CMC) — Classy Jamaica-bred colt Bruceontheloose turned Saturday’s feature Santa Rosa Dash into a romp when he dismissed his opposition in record time to win by 3 1/2 lengths at Santa Rosa Park.

Going 1,200 metres, four-year-old roan colt came home under a fine ride by jockey Ronald Ali in a time of one minute, 10.38 seconds to break the old record of 1:10.40 set by Asmira and the legendary Sugar Mike.

The John O’Brien-trained horse showed his versatility over the shorter distance by easily beating a good bunch of sprinters, including former sprint champion Storm Street and 2009 Stewards Cup winner Blackstone Street.

“I said that he would run a big race and he did,” O’Brien said afterward.

“He is a fantastic racehorse and could be a better sprinter than a stayer. He may now go for the Eric Durant Memorial on the turf in June.”

Bruceontheloose tracked stable mate Sweet Alex for 900 metres, as the latter opened up a three-length gap on the far turn.

Coming to the corner, Sweet Alex still held sway, but Ali switched the Tres Amigos-owned colt to the outside and took aim at the leader.

It was here that Honest Hero and Storm Street began their run at the leaders, as Bristling and Ksar Ghilane back peddled.

Ali then asked Bruceontheloose to go on and he gobbled up ground in a matter of strides, racing to the finish to win the US$15,000 first prize cheque.

Sweet Alex stayed on resolutely for second with Storm Street running on for third, with outsider Honest Hero a creditable fourth.