Old-timer Royal Vibes notches another victory 

At nine years old bay gelding Royal Vibes (Royal Minister –November Lace) continues to show his true fighting qualities after an emphatic 2 ¼-length win in an Optional Claiming ($750,000-$700,000) event over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m).

Ridden by Phillip Parchment, Royal Vibes produced a late run to beat Atlantic Blue (Raddesh Roman) and Storm (Daniel Satchell), going away in a time of 1:32.3 for the distance.

Royal Vibes had to take a back seat in the early part of the race as Atlantic Blue unwisely surged to the lead after a couple of strides ahead of Storm and Sotomayor (Anthony Thomas). Royal Vibes began to make his move while navigating the half mile (800m) turn, rounding horses at a rapid pace.

Although Atlantic Blue drifted out in the stretch that could not stop nor slow down the late surge from Royal Vibes, as the Wayne DaCosta trainee powered home easily. Royal Vibes was racing for the 111th time in his long career and was winning his ninth race, with earnings now of just over $10 million.

Lovers Strike makes it two from five

Lightly raced Lovers Strike (Taqarab – Luvable), trained by Fitznahum Williams, made it two wins from five starts after she easily brushed aside rivals in a Restricted Allowance event over 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).

It was Emperor’s Treasure (Delroy Beharie) who showed on the lead at the off ahead of Tata Tee (Phillip Parchment) and Mount Zion King (Omar Walker), as Lovers Strike (Raddesh Roman) settled in mid-pack.

Emperor’s Treasure brought the field into the lane and once the runners settled, Lovers Strike went by rivals and then began to draw clear in deep stretch, cruising home by 8 ½ lengths ahead of Portugal (Javaniel Patterson) and Sweetie Girl (Jerome Innis). The winning time was 1:22.3.

Dada’s Nala goes one better

Dada ‘s Nala came home strongly in the final stages to finish in second position behind Fort Knox at 6 furlongs on September 14. Now going a furlong longer at seven furlongs (1,400m), Dada’s Nala once again came on strongly in deep stretch in the nightcap and was able to get up in time for the win.

Ridden by Javaniel Patterson, Dada’s Nala (Distorted – My Girl Nala), trained by Michael Marlowe, broke well from the number one starting post but failed to go with the early pace and fell back to mid-pack, just off the leaders.

As the field settled approaching the half mile, Sandori (Roger Hewitt) surged to the lead ahead of First Selection (Shane Richardson) and Ballon d’Or (Jemar Jackson) as Dada’s Nala continued to race off the pace.

Ballon d’Or took up the running at the top of the lane and looked all set for an encouraging win, but with just a few strides to go Dada’s Nala came flying in the end to get home by a neck over Ballon d’Or. Blood Song (Romario Spencer) also came on strong in the end for third place. The final time was 1:28.1.

Okahumpka as easy as ever in victory

Five-year-old chestnut gelding Okahumpka (Nuclear Wayne – Sure To Cure) obliged as the 2-5 favourite after an easy win in a Restricted Allowance event for native-bred five-year-olds and upwards – non-winners of three, coming down the 5-straight (1,000m) course.

Okahumpka (Shane Ellis) showed early speed, along with Strikinglygorgeous (Dane Dawkins) and Seven Eleven (Kiaman McGregor), in the early exchanges of the race. Crossing the dummy rails, both Okahumpka and Seven Eleven drew away from Strikinglygorgeous and then were engaged in a private battle before Okahumpka edged away for the win.

Okahumpka won by 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Synchronize (Christopher Mamdeen) who nipped Seven Eleven on the wire for second place. The final time was 1:01.2. Trainer of Okahumpka, veteran Errol Pottinger was claiming his third winner for the season from 16 starts.

Consistency finally pays off for Kingswood

After finishing second place in his last three races Kingswood went one better this time, as the four-yearold grey colt by (Adore The Gold – You Can’t Hide) cruised home effortlessly by 6 lengths in a Restricted Allowance event over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m).

Looking all over as the winner on his last three outings before weakening in the final stages of these races, Kingswood was not for catching in a dominating performance under leading rider apprentice Christopher Mamdeen.

Kingswood allowed Pure Heart (Mathew Bennett) to dictate the early fractions before taking over with just 4 furlongs (800m) to go.

Kingswood carried the field into the lane and while many punters were still wondering if he would stop, Kingswood instead kept on rolling and rolling straight to the wire to win by six lengths.

Pure Heart never gave up his spot and finished in second place as Nala’s Bushman (Roger Hewitt) came through for third place. The recorded final time for the distance was 1:34.3.

Six horses were claimed on the 10- race programme

Winner of the first race, Royal Vibes was claimed from Wayne DaCosta by Ryan Darby for owner Kevin Whitter for $750,000, and third by the post in the same race, Storm was taken from Oneil Markland by Ian Alexander for owner Alan Mitchell for $750,000.

In the 10th and final event, Richard Todd claimed Superbolt for himself from Paul Charlton; Henry Harrison Jr claimed Mirabilis for owner Faye Lee from Johnny Wilmot; Michael Francis claimed Luana for himself from Anthony Subratie, and Stedman Curtis claimed Sandori for owner Rosemarie Green from Gordon Lewis. All horses in the 10th were claimed for $450,000.