DESPITE the predicted win by Calculus in the $1.14-million Kenneth Mattis OD Memorial Trophy feature, it was champion trainer Anthony “Baba” Nunes who brought the crowd to its feet after saddling a natural hat-trick to close out a Sunday full of upsets on the 10-race card at Caymanas Park.

Nunes, the three-time defending champion conditioner, stunned racing fans when his charge Howilookin, ridden by Tevin Foster, upset rivals at odds of 37-1 in the day’s eighth race. Howilookin came from behind horses to beat also long shot stablemate Wowza (Carlos Blake) at odds of 41-1 by 2 ¾ lengths over six and a half furlongs (1,300m). The Nunes exacta paide $21,899 while the quinella was $8,106.

It got even sweeter when the Nunes pair of El Cid, at odds of 11-1, and GT Boy, at odds of 17-1, finished first and second, respectively, in the ninth race also over six and a half furlongs. El Cid was ridden by Foster, who closed out a double for himself, and GT Boy was ridden by Reyan Lewis. This time the Nunes exacta paid $4,468 and the quinella $1,955, while the double paid $18,142.

Nunes then closed out his triple with Jungle Boogie, ridden by Carlos Blake in the 10th and final event in which he received a standing ovation from his loyal supporters at the park.

The Nunes triple paid a whopping $51,084 — something rarely seen at the Park in recent times by the champion.

Before the Nunes onslaught in the last three races, racing fans were greeted with 41-1 long shot Awesome Choice in the fifth race and another long shot, Tocatbetheglory at odds of 55-1 in the sixth race.

Calculus, who had stepped down in class to contest the three-year-olds and upward Non-Restricted Overnight Allowance event over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m), won the event by a powerful 2¾ lengths.

Calculus stopped the ticking of the clock in 1:55.2.

Racing continues next Saturday and Sunday.

— Ruddy Allen