RICHARD BYRD RIDES FIRST CAREER WINNER

Apprentice Richard Byrd rode his first career winner aboard the Ryan Williams-conditioned Contractor in the $580,000 Fire In Yu Wire call for five-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) runners that included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) and native-bred five-year-olds and upward (maiden) over four furlongs (800m).

It was a smooth break for the five runners as Contractor and Mardele (Richard Henry) matched early strides. Fiery Path (Anthony Allen), Silver Soul (Javaniel Patterson), and Avery and Ayan (Aaron Chatire) raced behind.

Coming across the dummy rails, Contractor found top stride and began to draw away from the field to run out an easy 3¼-length winner at the wire in a time of 50.2. Fiery Path made a late run to get second place, ahead of Avery and Ayan in third place.

BACK-TO-BACK WINS FOR

Prissie, trained by Alford Brown and ridden by Oneil Scott, romped to her second-consecutive success in a native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) and also for imported four-year-olds and upwards (maidens) going 9 furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m).

Prissie held the advantage going into the clubhouse turn ahead of Never On A Sunday (Shane Richardson) and Don Vincenzo (Anthony Thomas). Entering the main track, Prissie allowed Never On A Sunday and Amad Ali (Richard Henry) to go by while occupying third place.

Prissie slipped down into second place behind Never On A Sunday leaving the 6-furlong (1,200m) marker, before regaining the lead approaching the half mile (800m). Although Prissie was challenged by Great Wayne (Jordan Barrett) approaching the distance the four-year-old bay filly dug deep into her reserves in deep stretch to win by 2 lengths in the end.

Great Wayne finished second, with Don Vincenzo filling the third slot. The final time for the race was 2:00.0 (28.0 x 53.4 x 1:18.3 x 1:45.1).

SIR JOHN

After finishing second behind Daddy Jones on May 6, Sir John returned and went one better in the $990,000 Who’s That Girl contest for three-year-old and upwards Claimers ($1m-$800,000) horses at a mile (1,600m).

Leaving the intersection at the 7-furlong (1,400m) marker, Sir John was held by Youville Pinnock in third place behind stablemates Daddy Jones (Matthew Bennett) and Iannai Links (Paul Francis). Sir John went on to challenge Daddy Jones for the lead, leaving the 6-furlong pole.

Sir John maintained his steady gallop until navigating the half mile, when he surged to the front full of running and began to open up on the field coming into the lane. Iannai Links tried to rally but Sir John proved too strong, moving on to score by 2 lengths.

Iannai Links was second and Katalina (Bebeto Harvey) finished in third place, with the final time recording at 1:41.1 (24.1 x 47.0 x 1:12.1).

SIR KEL

Seven-year-old bay gelding Sir Kel made all the running in 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 for four) and imported six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) travelling 5 furlongs (1,000m) straight.

Trained by Ryan Darby and ridden by Matthew Bennett, Sir Kel got off to a good start at the break and disputed the early lead along with Supreme Star (Andree Powell) and Sensational Satin (Reyan Lewis). Passing the dummy rails Sir Kel changed gears, began to draw clear of rivals, and ran out a 3-¼ length winner at the wire.

Sensational Satin was second and XY Soul (Anthony Allen) was third. After splits of 23.2 x 46.0 the final time was recorded at 1:01.0.

FOUR HORSES CLAIMED

Lorne Kirlew claimed the winner of the first race, Contractor, for owner Rupert Gayle from Ryan Williams for $180,000.

In the third race Steven Todd claimed Sir John for owner Garth Samuels from Gary Griffiths, while Raymond Townsend claimed Daddy Jones for himself from Ryan Darby. Both horses from the third event were claimed for $1 million.

Joseph Thomas claimed Dodge This Link for owner G-Links Connection for $400,000 from Carlton Cunningham from the fourth race.