TRAINER Ian Parsard could not have asked for a better birthday present after watching his brilliant unbeaten filly Bootylicious sweep all before her in the 30th running of the $1.75-million Thornbird Stakes feature race at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Bootylicious, ridden by Reyan Lewis, won going away by three lengths in the Graded Stakes contest for native-bred three-year-olds over seven furlongs (1,400m). Thornbird Stakes is one of the major prep races on the “Road to the Triple Crown”.

It was the perfect start for Bootylicious as the bay filly sat in second place behind the speedy Mamma Mia (Robert Halledeen) and watched the filly blaze the trail down the backstretch. Thalita (Omar Walker) and Acknowledgeme (Raddesh Roman) chased the leaders from third and fourth places, respectively.

Bootylicious maintained her gallop well until approaching the distance, when she joined Mamma Mia on the front for a brief battle before hitting the front full of running in deep stretch. With a couple of cracks from the whip from Reyan, Bootylicious accelerated and powered home to her third-consecutive victory from as many starts.

Bred by Key To Power out of the Bellamy Road mare Keep The Faith, Bootylicious won in a time of 1:26.1 (23.3 x 46.3 x 1:12.2) ahead of Jason DaCosta’s pair of Thalita and Mamma Mia, in that order.

Meanwhile I Am Fred, trained by Jason DaCosta and ridden by Robert Halledeen, won the $1.29-million Saint Cecelia Cup, an Open Allowance event for three-year-olds and upward over six and a half furlongs (1,300m). I Am Fred won by lengths ahead of Runaway Algo (Anthony Thomas) and She’s My Destiny (Omar Walker) in a time of 1:18.2.

Former three-time champion jockey Anthony Thomas rode three winners on the 10-race card. Thomas’s winners were Doctor Grey for trainer Norm Smith in the fourth race, Divine Force for many-time champion trainer Philip Peanny in the seventh race, and Stomp The Rhythm for trainer Vincent Atkinson in the eighth race.

Former champion Anthony Nunes topped the trainers when he combined with jockey Linton Steadman for a double. The duo opened the programme with Hecandance and was also successful in the sixth race with first-time starter Electrode. Both Hecandance and Electrode are groomed by Steve Smith.

Racing continues today when the colts and geldings take centre stage for the 30th running of the $1.75-million Prince Consort Stakes. Post time is 12:15 pm.