DELAY THE GAME LANDS 35-1 UPSET

Delay The Game, trained by Ryan Darby and ridden by Matthew Bennett, created a huge upset when defeating rivals at odds of 35-1 in the Port Maria OTB Trophy — a native-bred, three-year-old, non-restricted maiden condition race over a mile (1,600m).

Delay The Game was off to a good start racing in third place behind Heroine (Anthony Thomas) and Potential (Dane Dawkins). The three-year-old bay colt improved one spot to second behind Heroine on leaving the intersection at the 7-furlong (1,400m) pole and down the backstretch.

Delay The Game picked up the lead at the 5-furlong (1,000m) marker and upped the tempo on rivals navigating the half-mile (800m) turn. Although Delay The Game came under pressure from Premier Identity (Aaron Chatrie) in deep stretch, to score by a half-length at the wire.

Premier Identity ran well for second place, and Asurety (Bebeto Harvey) also finished fast for third place. The final time for the event was 1:43.4.

SILVERSTINE OBLIGES

Five-year-old bay mare Silverstine obliged as the 8-5 favourite in the Ocho Rios/East Queen Street OTB Trophy, a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) and imported five-year-old and upwards (maidens) going 5½ furlongs (1,100m).

Jockey Anthony Thomas kept Silverstine in third place when sent off by the starter. The Lee Clarke-owned and -trained runner chased Hunter’s Ridge (Raddesh Roman) and Little Buzz (Sadiki Blake). With Sadiki Blake falling off his mount, Silverstine went in pursuit of Hunter’s Ride while in the half-mile turn.

Silverstine drew alongside Hunter’s Ridge in deep stretch for a brief moment before pulling away inside the final furlong (200m) to win by a length ahead of JNR Jones (Dane Dawkins) and Hunter’s Ridge. Silverstine was timed at 1:11.4.

K D ROCKET SHOWS HIS LIKENESS FOR THE STRAIGHT

K D Rocket continued to demonstrate his preference for the straight course with a 5-furlong win in the Hayes OTB Trophy, a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) spread that also included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of four).

K D Rocket got out of his starting stall in good order racing just behind Quantum Dancer (Shavon Townsend), Action Run (Samantha Fletcher), and Mother Nature (Andree Powell). As the runners sorted themselves out Quantum Dancer continued to lead runners crossing the dummy rails as K D Rocket and Action Run chased, with Mother Nature fading through the field.

With Quantum Dancer looking strong on the front end, jockey Dane Dawkins put in an effort, and the Gary Subratie trainee powered away for a 3 1/4-length victory.

Quantum Dancer finished second and Action Run third in a final time recorded at 1:02.1.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF FOR PRESS CONFERENCE

Patience paid off for the connections of Press Conference as the four-year-old chestnut gelding picked up the Santa Cruz OTB Trophy, a native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of four) and imported four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) at 6½ furlongs (1,300m).

At the off, Regnant (Anthony Thomas) shot to the front ahead of Sensational Gold (Oneil Mullings) as Press Conference (Paul Francis) settled into third place. Press Conference wasted no time and went in pursuit of Regnant going into the half-mile (800m) turn before surging to the front on approaching the distance.

Press Conference turned for home with a healthy lead and went on to win by two lengths as Khai Alexis (Roger Hewitt) came on strong on the outside of runners to get second place, with Regal and Royal (Tevin Foster) getting up for third place. The final time was 1:20.4.

— Ruddy Allen