RACING NEWS FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023
JOCKEY RUDOLPH PAIGE A WINNER
Jockey Rudolph Paige, who initially finished second on Contractor in a five-year-old and upwards claiming race ($180,000-$150,000), was awarded first place following the disqualification of winner Schlesinger. This race also included six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) as well as five-year-olds and upwards (maidens).
In the race, which took place over four furlongs (800m), Contractor fought for the early lead alongside Fiery Path (Shavon Townsend), Schlesinger (Marshall Porter), and Crushing Power (Ramon Nepare).
Contractor and Crushing Power continued their rivalry through the dummy rails, but Schlesinger made a strong run with half a furlong (100m) left, overtaking both Contractor and Crushing Power to claim victory by 2 3/4 lengths.
However, after a stewards’ inquiry and a complaint submitted by Paige, Schlesinger was disqualified, and the race was awarded to Contractor, trained by Ryan Williams. Party Princess (Roger Hewitt) was promoted to second place, with Schlesinger dropping to fourth.
REJECTED RAJA COMES GOOD DOWN THE STRAIGHT
Three-year-old chestnut colt Rejected Raja outpaced rivals to win a Restricted Stakes race for imported three-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and native-bred three-year-olds and four-year-olds (non-winners of four) at five furlongs (1,000m) straight.
Rejected Raja, with champion jockey Dane Dawkins aboard and trained by in-form Robert Pearson, closely followed the early pace set by Milos (Tevin Foster), Volatility (Paul Francis), Durocell (Samantha Fletcher), and Box Box (Jerome Innis).
As KP Choice (Raddesh Roman) took the lead crossing the dummy rails, Rejected Raja maintained his position. In the final moments of the race, Dawkins urged Rejected Raja for a final push. The colt responded, securing victory two lengths ahead of KP Choice and Milos. The final race time was 1:01.1 (23.3 x 47.1).
BABYLIKE IN ONE SHAKE
Babylike, trained by Philip Feanny and ridden by Oneil Mullings, led from the start in a native-bred four-year-olds and upwarda (non-winners of four) and imported four-year-olds and upwarda (non-winners of three) at a mile (1,600m).
The six-horse field began evenly, with Babylike taking an early lead followed by Fly Messenger Fly (Javaniel Patterson), Whisky (Jordan Barrett), and March and Shoot (Tevin Foster).
Babylike maintained her pace on the backstretch, ahead of a persistent Fly Messenger Fly, while Whisky and March and Shoot held their positions. As they approached the half-mile (800m) turn, Fly Messenger Fly pressed Babylike for the lead before she started pulling away.
Responding strongly to Mullings’ urgings in the deep stretch, Babylike powered her way to victory, finishing 2¾ lengths ahead of Fly Messenger Fly and Rainsville (Dane Dawkins) with a time of 1:43.1 (26.0 x 50.1 x 1:15.4).
EQUIPMENT CHANGE AND BLUE PERSUASION IS A WNNER
Blue Persuasion, with blinkers removed, impressively came from behind to clinch victory in a native-bred four-year-olds and upwards call going 6½ furlongs (1,300m).
Under the guidance of trainer Michael Marlowe and jockey Dane Dawkins, Blue Persuasion initially struggled to keep pace with the leading pack. Solid Truth (Ameth Robles) secured an early lead, while Jack of Spades (Devon A Thomas), Millinium Star (Paul Francis), and You and I (Oshane Nugent) trailed closely.
In the final stretch, Dawkins skillfully spurred Blue Persuasion to victory just in time, sealing a one-length win at the finish line. Premier Identity (Tevin Foster) secured second place and Empress Nakelia (Chalrick Budhai) claimed third. The final time stood at 1:26.2 (24.3 x 49.3 x 1:18.4).
SIX HORSES CLAIMED
In the first race, Randolph Scott claimed Schlesinger for owner Zelpha Rickets from David Powell; Arnold Rambally Jr claimed Contractor for owner The Baller from Ryan Williams; and Joseph Thomas claimed Party Princess for owner Beresford Broadbell from Errol Subratie. All horses from the first event were claimed for $180,000 each.
In the ninth race, Winchester McIntosh claimed Den Street for owner Donald Plummer for $750,000 from Carlton Watson; Gary Grifiiths claimed Turnonthelight for Owner JJ Tash for $750,000 from Steven Todd; and Percival Hussey claimed Rum With Me for owner Philip Azar, also for $750,000 from Phillip Elliott.