Atomica’s blistering run lights up ‘Park’
Atomica, in another breathtaking performance that sent shivers among racing fans, dismantled rivals in the second staging of the $6-million Jamaica Cup feature in a new track and stakes record at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
It may have been a nine-and-a-half furlong (1,900m) event, but the Oakridge Farms-owned Atomica led from the first jump in a dominant 16-length win in the three-year-old and upward Graded Stakes contest, stopping the clock in a scintillating time of 1:57.3. The time done by Atomica erased the previous mark of 2:00.2 set by current Horse of the Year Further and Beyond last year.
Trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Dane Dawkins, Atomica went straight to the front and held the lead ahead of Blue Vinyl (Reyan Lewis) and I Am Fred (Robert Halledeen) going around the clubhouse turn and onto the main track.
Atomica maintained her gallop down the backstretch until the half-mile (800m) marker, when she increased her tempo on rivals, and it was all smooth sailing from there for the offspring of Nuclear Wayne and Honkeytonkville, who powered home to win by a wide margin.
Stablemate Crimson (Raddesh Roman) ran well for second place, while Miniature Man (Anthony Thomas) came home in third place.
It was the second winner on the day for Dawkins as the current leading rider had earlier booted home Mojito for trainer Richard Azan in the BGLC/TOBA Jamboree Sprint over six furlongs (1,200m).
Jason DaCosta, the current leading trainer, also had two winners. DaCosta swept the first three places in the $1.5-million St Elizabeth Distillery over one mile (1,600m). She’s My Destiny (Omar Walker) won in 1:37.3 (a stakes record time) by 7 1/4 lengths over Make Up Artist (Anthony Thomas) and Lure of Lucy (Robert Halledeen). DaCosta’s other winner was Tekapunt (Phillip Parchment) in the fourth race.
Meanwhile, the Philip Feanny-conditioned Excessive Force (Bebeto Harvey) won the $2.5-million Port Royal Sprint over six furlongs (1,200m). Excessive Force won by a length and a quarter ahead of Madelyn’s Sunshine (Anthony Thomas) and El Profesor (Reyan Lewis) in a time of 1:12.1.
Racing continues next weekend with races on Saturday and Sunday.
Attention turns to the 2022 TOBA Mixed Sale in the Official Car Park at Caymanas Park today, and lots will be available for inspection at 8:00 am, while the sale is set to begin at 10:00 am.
