Emperorofthecats, a four-year-old bay gelding, continued to show a preference for the straight course with another strong performance over the distance of five furlongs (1,000m) in the $1.29-million Harlequin Cup feature event at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Emperorofthecats, who was neglected at odds of 16-1 in the small field of only eight runners, outsprinted rivals by 3 ¾ lengths in the Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward. Emperorofthecats won in a time of 59.0 (23.1 x 45.3).

Emperorofthecats is unbeaten over the straight course, with four wins in as many attempts. Three of those four victories came over five furlongs, with the other coming over four furlongs (800m). Emperorofthecats, who is bred, owned, and trained by Carl Anderson, was also registering his eighth career victory from 18 outings.

Emperorofthecats, ridden by Richard Henry, pulled away early in the race with Madelyn’s Sunshine (Reyan Lewis), Runaway Algo (Linton Steadman), Yellowstone (Anthony Thomas), and Duke (Dane Dawkins).

The racers continued to match strides until they reached the dummy rails, with Yellowstone and Emperorofthecats emerging as the front runners for first place. In the end, Henry kept his horse well balanced on the outside, and Emperorofthecats responded beautifully and drew away for an easy win. Yellowstone came in second, while Duke came in third.

Meanwhile, Linton Steadman and Roger Hewitt shared the jockey’s honour with two wins each. Steadman won aboard California Gold for trainer Patrick Lynch in the second race and Thalos for trainer Fernando Geddes in the fourth race.

Hewitt was successful aboard Market Place for trainer Robert Pearson in the sixth race and Ultimate Machine for owner and trainer Robert Ffrench in the 10th and final event.

No trainer won more than one race.

Racing continues next weekend with races on Saturday and Sunday featuring the 1000 and 2000 Guineas Classic races, respectively.