Three-year-old bay colt California Gold, after seven starts, finally found his head where it mattered most, a Maiden Condition Race for native-bred three-year-olds going 6 furlongs (1,200m).

It wasn’t the best of starts for California Gold, but he wasn’t too far off the pace either, settling in fourth place behind Tokillamockingbird (Abigail Able), Smokin Lady (Andree Powell), and Ava’s Sunshine (Ramon Nepare) going into the half-mile (800m) turn.

California Gold slipped down into second place approaching the distance before surging to the front of the field inside the final furlong and a half (300m) of the race. The Patrick Lynch trainee then found extra to reach the line under Linton Steadman, winning by 2 ¼ lengths in a time of 1:17.0. The Bees Knees (Anthony Allen) finished in second place, with Tokillamockingbird third.

EASY DOES IT FOR

Storm Valley, owned and trained by Joseph Thomas and ridden by Shane Richardson, easily put away rivals in a three-year-old and upwards claiming ($250,000-$200,000) race for horses who have earned only $160,000 since January 27, 2023 at 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).

Storm Valley battled with Estalita (Ramon Nepare) at the off as both runners opened up on the field down the backstretch. Storm Valley took full control of the contest approaching the half-mile (800m) when he drew away from Estalita.

Storm Valley opened up daylight on rivals approaching the distance, and by the time the field turned for home, the nine-year-old dark bay horse was long gone. Storm Valley won by 7 ¾ lengths ahead of Golden Emperor (Roger Hewitt) and Sunshine Cat (Tevin Foster). The final time for the race was clocked 1:24.3.

THALOS

Thalos continued to show his likeness for the straight course with another victory over the distance at 5 furlongs (1.000m) in the three-year-old and upwards claiming ($750,000-$600,000) spread.

Trained by Fernando Geddes and ridden by Linton Steadman, Thalos made full use of the outside draw sitting comfortably behind the early pace set by Denbigh Life (Natalie Berger). Ha Gow Siu Mei (Tevin Foster) and Heiroffire (Daniel Thompson) also showed good speed in the early part of the race.

Coming across the dummy rails, Denbigh Life continued to lead ahead of Thalos, but with a furlong (200m) to go, Thalos assumed the lead and extended his strides to the line, winning by 2 lengths.

Denbigh Life finished in second place, while Ras Emanuel (Reyan Lewis) got third. The final time for the event was 1:01.0 (23.2 x 46.2).

BOLD SAMI

Bold Sami, neglected at odds of 29-1, upset rivals in a three-year-old and upwards optional claiming ($400,000-$300,000) call travelling 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m).

With Anthony Allen riding for trainer Cashbert Khwalsingh, Bold Sami settled in fourth place down the backstretch behind Just An Illusion (Anthony Thomas), Zabratone (Reyan Lewis), and Wilson (Tevin Foster).

Wilson continued to bide his time well, navigating the half-mile turn as Zabratone took over the lead ahead of Just An Illusion. Entering the lane, Bold Sami hugged the inside rails and came with a strong run in deep stretch to beat rivals by 2 lengths.

Zabratone, who was caught napping inside the final furlong of the race, finished second, some 2 ¼ lengths in front of Wilson third. The final time was 1:23.0.

SEVEN HORSES CLAIMED

Ryan Darby claimed Sunshine Cat for owner Raphael Gordon from Tyrone Prince for $250,000 and Johnny Wilmot claimed Storm Valley for owner Rupert Edwards from Joseph Thomas also for $250,000 from the third race.

In the fourth race, Percival Hussey claimed Stranger Danger for owner Philip Azar from Steven Todd, David Lee Sin claimed Ha Gow Siu Mei for owner Zelpha Ricketts from Anthony Nunes, and Gregg Fennell claimed Ras Emanuel for owner Lawrence McKenley from Jason DaCosta. All horses from the fourth race were claimed for $750,000 each.

Gregg Fennell claimed Devonte’ for owner Colshar Limited for $400,000 from Ryan Darby, and Dalton Sirjue claimed Zabratone for owner Sylvester Suberan for $400,000 from Saqlain Roman from the fifth race.