In recent times, former 14-time titlist Philip Feanny has demonstrated that although winning his last title over three decades ago, in the schooling and conditioning of horses he still possesses the skill and timing required to post winners of major races. Truth be told, horses cannot communicate effectively with humans, therefore as a profession, the training of thoroughbreds is an activity where the practitioners get better with experience.

Featured on the 10-race programme as the eighth was another renewal of the 1,600-metre Viceroy Trophy to honour one of the highest-class horses ever to grace the Caymanas circuit. Trained then by Feanny, The Viceroy won the 1989, 2000 Guineas, The Jamaica Derby and important handicaps to be crowned Horse-Of-The-Year. Interestingly, his exploits the following year were again good enough for this immortal accolade.

Six starters, headed by 2021 Horse-of the Year Further And Beyond, reported and the Anthony Nunes-trained highest rated in the horse population was set to concede significant weight. This ensured that for his success, a career best gallop was the minimum requirement. Unsurprisingly, the 2021 champion could only manage fourth with Feanny saddling the first two finishers.

Ridden by Jordan Barrett, Excessive Force (USA) at odds of 11-1, from a prominent position early, outstayed stablemate I’ve Got Magic (USA) partnered by Paul Francis by nearly six lengths. Incidentally, this was the second success on the card for the great trainer as the fifth event, contested over the 1,000 metres of the straight course, was won by Taurus Boy (USA) piloted by former six-time champion Omar Walker, starting from being last early to a length and a half in front at the wire.

Run over 1,100 metres, race one certainly set the stage for an interesting afternoon of thoroughbred racing. In a hugely competitive finish, Baltusrol (9/5) with Tevin Foster at the reins for trainer Gregory Forsyth was all out to win by a head and a neck from the next two finishers in a three-way battle for the major portion of the prize money from 50 metres out.

General Mubaraak, ridden by Matthew Bennett from the barn of Steven Todd, completed four victories from his last six starts scoring at odds of 2/1 over the 1,600 metres of the day’s second.

While starting at 1-5, three-year-old maiden Yellowstone (Shane Ellis) conditioned by Alford Brown proved to be eight and half lengths superior to those contesting peers over the 1,100-metre gallop of race three.

Five-year-old maiden Julissa P (Ramon Nepare), racing for only the 11th occasion, and previously unplaced, was always in control of the 1,000-metre straight gallop to return odds of 9-5 in the day’s fourth.

Trained by Errol Burke and in front before first 100 of the 1,400 metres of race six was completed, 24-1 backed Three Times Lucky ran under pressure for the remainder of the contest. It took the balance and excellent judgement of pace on the part of rider Javaniel Patterson to fend off the sundry challenges, both early and late, thus securing victory for the connections of the brave filly.

At odds of 5/2, Luksol (Anthony Thomas), bred in the United States, trained by Jason Dacosta and sporting blinkers as well as a figure eight for the first time in seven career starts, the promising American filly showed gameness in defeating useful three-year-old colt Nomoredeals by a head in a fiercely contested gallop for top honours in the 1,200-metre-seventh event.

Veteran trainer Phillip Lee, who in the past conditioned horses in the US, turned out maiden KP Choice (Andre Powell) in invincible condition to coast home seven and half lengths clear of six rivals of similar status in ninth run over 1,500 metres rewarding a profitable return at odds of 2-1.

Half an hour later, former two-time champion Dick Cardenas brought the Joseph Thomas owned and trained filly Omron with a well-timed late effort to secure the 1,500-metre nightcap at 5-1.

The Training Feat Award is presented to one of the more recent licensees, Errol Burke, for the presentation of Three Times Lucky, whom he claimed seven weeks ago. Having lost her previous two starts under his care by a combined 26 lengths in similar company, her form returned to serve up the Best Winning Gallop. Javaniel Patterson earns the Jockeyship Award as the success of Three Times Lucky is a direct result of his precise execution of the combination of requisite skills and experience that was needed.