SAMANTHA FLETCHER RETURNS TO THE WINNERS’ ENCLOSURE

Leading female rider Samantha Fletcher won her first race since returning from injury aboard the Joseph Thomas-conditioned Miss Linda Wray in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) spread over seven furlongs (1,400m).

Miss Linda Wray settled in fifth place close to the leaders down the backstretch as Senor Kwanzi (Bebeto Harvey) showed the way ahead of Breaking Storm (Dick Cardenas) and Lady Budget (Tevin Foster).

Approaching the half-mile bend, Breaking Storm took over from Senor Kwanzi as Miss Linda Wray slipped down into third place. With the momentum going her way, Miss Linda Wray went by Senor Kwanzi approaching the distance moving into second before claiming pole position at the top of the lane. Miss Linda Wray then sprinted clear in deep stretch to win by 3 ½ lengths ahead of Sweet Medicine (Aaron Chatrie) and Sir Puddington (Roger Hewitt). The final time for the race was 1:30.1.

OMAR SIMPSON IS OFF THE MARK

Jockey Omar Simpson rode his first winner for the season from 30 mounts aboard Blue Seas in a maiden condition race for native-bred four-year-old and upwards travelling 4 ½ furlongs (900m).

Trained by Michael Marlowe, Blue Seas disputed the early lead with Bubbly Girl (Jordan Barrett) and Dotlin (Natalie Berger). Coming across the dummy rails, Dotlin and Blue Seas drew away from the rest of the pack in a private battle for control. Simpson kept his mount well balanced and Blue Seas edged away with the win, getting home by three lengths ahead of JB Flyer (Phillip Parchment) in a time of 55.3.

Running with the tongue-tie-off, Sniper Man proved too strong for rivals in a five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) contest five furlongs straight.

Breaking from the number 12 barrier, Sniper Man, bred, owned, and trained by Lorenzo Robinson and ridden by Dick Cardenas, disputed the early lead with Wifey Sez So (Matthew Bennett), Papito (Anthony Thomas), and Sheer Beauty (Roger Hewitt).

The runners maintained their gallops well until crossing the dumpy rails when Sniper Man emerged as the lone leader and held on to win by three lengths in a time of 1:01.3. Second went to Papito and third XY Soul (Tevin Foster).

EIGHT HORSES CLAIMED

In the first race, Donovan Plummer claimed winner, Miss Linda Wray, for owner Glendon Drummond from Joseph Thomas, Norman Smith claimed Uncle Wal for owner Khamoal Nichol from Christopher Pierre, Junior Panton claimed Sir Puddington for himself from Paul Hylton, and Smith also claimed Stallwalkin’girl for owner Morris Myrie. All horses in the opening event were claimed for $250,000 each.

In the third race, Marlon Anderson claimed Diosa De Oro for owner Dr Lynden Richards from Norman Smith, Dennis Pryce claimed Bloodsweatandtears for owner Busy Racing Stable from Clifford Atkinson Jr, Johnny Wilmot claimed Killer Bee for owner Lisa Watson from Edward Stanberry, and Richard Phillipps claimed Lazer Light for owner Paul Nugent from Ralph Porter. All horses went for $550,000 each.