In a performance of class, talent and the will to win, Atomica, trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Dane Dawkins triumphed in the 102nd running of the $7.5-m Jamaica Derby at Caymanas Park yesterday.

The three-year-old chestnut filly bred by Nuclear Wayne – Honkeytonkville sped to a dominating 9 ¼-length win in the 12-furlong (2,400m) Blue Riband event, the third and final jewel in Triple Crown series of races.

In winning the Jamaica Derby, Atomica, not only turned the tables of Blue Vinyl but reclaimed her status as the best native-bred three-year-old at present. Atomica, who had won the Jamaica 1000 Guineas in June, completed the distance in a time of 2:35.2 backed by splits 24.2 x 49.0 x 1:16.3 x 1:41.2.

The win provided owner Don Wehby Jr (Oakridge Farms) with his first Jamaica Derby win, which he immediately dedicated to his late father and renowned horseman Don Wehby Sr. Wehby Sr passed away last week Tuesday at age 87.

“I am in this thing {racing} for the happiness and prestige and my dream was to win the Derby and you know that this one is extra special for me because my dad [Don Wehby Sr] who was the founder of Oakridge Farms recently passed away. While he was on the hospital bed, he asked how is Atomica? And he said that she is going to do it for you, well daddy, we did,” Wehby Jr said.

For Subratie, it was his second winner of the Jamaica Derby, having saddled Calculus last year.

“For the last seven days we have been riding the race which you just saw today [yesterday]. And thanks to former champion jockey Emilio ‘Bimbo’ Rodriquez because he has been coaching the jockey [Dane Dawkins]. This win is for Donald Wehby Sr, who died this week, this was all for him. I told him before he died I wanted to win this Derby for him,” said Subratie.

It was also the first Jamaica Derby win for Dawkins.

“I wasn’t under pressure during the race at all and I am so grateful for the victory. I am just happy at the moment, I don’t know to explain the feeling that I am feeling. Thanks to the connections, thanks to ‘Bimbo’ because he gave me some pointers for the Derby,” Dawkins said.

Atomica and Blue Vinyl came away in good order at the off as the two big guns vied for early lead. However, passing the stands for the first time and going around the clubhouse turn, Atomica emerged as the lone leader ahead of Brinks (Reyan Lewis) and Blue Vinyl (Raddesh Roman).

Atomica opened up on the field going down the backstretch with Blue Vinyl slipping into second place ahead of Brinks. At this stage the filly was well-relaxed on the front end.

Blue Vinyl got closer going into the half-mile turn, but once Dawkins loosened his hold on the reins, Atomica turned the prestigious Classic into a romp. Still looking a rough around the edges after drifting wide in the straight, Atomica posted her sixth career win from seven starts. Brinks finished second three parts of a length ahead of Blue Vinyl in third place.

It was the second winner on the day for Dawkins as he earlier won aboard King Antholew for trainer Rowan Mathie in the second race. Mathie saddled Buff Bay (Dick Cardenas) the previous race for his double.

Also with two winners on the 10-race card were trainers Anthony Nunes and Donovan Plummer and jockey Anthony Thomas.

Nunes saddled Ha Gow Siu Mei (Shane Ellis) in the fifth race and GT Boy in the seventh race, while Plummer scored with Nez Perce in the sixth race and Persistent One (Samantha Fletcher) in the eighth race.

Thomas won the fourth race aboard Make Up Artist for trainer Jason DaCosta, and Perfect Brew in the 10th and final event for trainer Richard Azan.

Racing continues today with the 83rd running of the $3.75-million Jamaica Oaks over 10 furlongs.