Press Conference too strong for rivals in top-rated race
Press Conference continued to show vast improvement after displaying another super effort to win the $1.14-million, top-rated Non-Restricted Overnight Allowance event over the five-furlong straight course (1,000m) on Sunday.
Bred, owned, and trained by Carl Anderson, Press Conference (Twilight Time – Lady Shankari) outsprinted rivals to win the three-year-old and upward contest by 2 ½ lengths in a decent time of 59.0 (23.1 x 46.0).
With Roger Hewitt replacing Ameth Robles in the saddle aboard Press Conference, the five-year-old chestnut gelding broke off well at the start of the race and matched strides up front alongside Luksol (Reyan Lewis), Antonement (Ramon Nepare), Magical Mood (Oneil Mullings), and Charmin Beauty (Javaniel Patterson).
As the runners sorted themselves out crossing the dummy rails and onto the main track for the last two furlongs (400m) of the drive, Press Conference battled briefly with Antonement before pulling away towards the final stages of the race to register his second win from five starts this season.
Charmin Beauty rallied to get second place ahead of stablemate Ring Charmer (Jordan Barrett).
It was the second winner on the nine-race card for Hewitt, as he earlier won aboard Fly Messenger Fly for champion trainer Jason DaCosta in the $750,000 Aston Commock Memorial Trophy over one mile (1,600m). Fly Messenger Fly won by a head over Sonny T and Chippy (Omar Walker) and stablemate Sunset Silhoutte (Reyan Lewis) in 1:41.0.
Patrick Lynch saddled three winners on the day to top the trainers. Lynch opened the programme with Gone A Negril (Christopher Douglas) before teaming up with jockey Javaniel Patterson to win the fourth and fifth races with Cataba and Potential, respectively.
Racing continues on Saturday.