AS expected, Atomica continued her dominance over her peers when she easily won the 48th running of the $3.7-million Jamaica 1000 Guineas, sponsored by BetMakers Technology Group, at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Bred by Karl Samuda, owned by Oakridge Farms, trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Dane Dawkins, the unbeaten Atomica led for almost every step of the way in a devastating run of a 20-length victory over one mile ( 1600m). The final time of 1:37.0 done by the Nuclear Wayne–Honkeytonkville offspring for the distance under a common canter was a New Stakes record.

The Jamaica 1000 Guineas, a native-bred three-year-old Futurity contest, kick-started the Triple Crown series of races for fillies.

For breeder Samuda, not only was this his first Jamaica 1000 Guineas winner but also his first Classic winner since venturing into the racing industry.

“First of all, why she is so great a horse is because her mother’s [Honkeytonkville] dam line is both speed and journey. Now we combined that with Nuclear Wayne, who also has speed and distance, and so it is two great factors that collided in one animal that’s why Atomica is so great.

“I only thank God that I live long enough to breed a horse [with] the quality of Atomica. Everything I have put into racing, she has made it worthwhile for me. If she remains healthy I am very hopeful that we could have a Triple Crown winner,” Samuda opined.

Owner Don Wehby, while having Classic winners before, this was also his first victory in the 1000 Guineas.

“I have not been so happy for a long, long time. Obviously, Atomica is a very talented filly and we have to see what happens from here. Spoke to the trainer not too long ago — after going into the Jamaica St Leger we will then will draw the line from there,” hey said.

After a couple of strides taken on leaving the starting gates, Atomica surged to the front of the field at the intersection of the seven-furlong (1,400m) point and held the lead ahead of the champion two-year-old from last season, Golden Wattle (Tevin Foster); Our Angel (Robert Halledeen) and Silent Mission (Omar Walker).

While maintaining her steady gallop, Atomica opened on rivals down the backstretch and looked very much comfortable navigating the half mile (800m) heading towards the top of the straight.

Entering the lane, it was a matter of how far Atomica would win as the chestnut filly exploded in the deep stretch, going away to win by a city block, —her fifth-consecutive win from as many career starts. Atomica won ahead of Our Angel and Silent Mission. Splits for the race were 24.4 x 47.3 x 1:11.2.

For Subratie, it was his third 1000 Guineas victory following Niphal in 2011 and Nuclear Affair in 2016.

“Every distance she goes she won further away, and so it is showing you that she will go the distance. She got a really easy race today and she still broke the Stakes record. She was more relaxed in the race — and that was what I wanted from her,” Subratie said.

It was also the first 1000 Guineas win for Dawkins: “Atomica won with a lot more in the tank. Leaving the three furlongs I said ‘Wow,’ as it was as if she had just broken out of the starting gates. She is a nice filly and it was a very good performance from her.”

Atomica was the second winner on the 11-race card for Dawkins as he had he earlier won aboard Hidden Valley for trainer Richard Azan in Division 2 of the Marlene My Love Trophy over five and a half furlongs (1,100m). However, it was Omar Walker who starred in the jockeys’ colony with three winners. His winners were Fearless Vibe in the third race for trainer Ryan Darby, Superluminal in the sixth race for trainer Dennis Thwaites, and Sir John in the night pan for trainer Jason DaCosta.

Thwaites and DaCaosta completed a double on the card. Thwaites saddled Maya (Dick Cardenas) in the fifth race while DaCosta won the Distinctly Irish Trophy with I Am Fred (Reyan Lewis).

Racing continues today when the colts and geldings get their opportunity at Classic glory in the Jamaica 2000 Guineas. Races get going at 12:30 pm.