Although it was not her best performance to date, Atomica did more than enough to throw racing fans into a frenzy as she swept all before her to win the third running of the $6-million Jamaica Cup main event at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Atomica, bred by Nuclear Wayne out of the Reparations mare Honkeytonkville, took off from the six-furlong (1,200m) marker in the nine-and-a-half furlong (1,900m) contest and never looked back, sprinting home to a four-length win margin at the wire, her second-consecutive victory in this race.

The four-year-old chestnut filly finished the Graded Stakes event for three-year-olds and above in 2:03.0 (25.0 x 48.2 x 1:13.2 x 1:39.4), substantially slower than her previous Track and Stakes record of 1:57.3.

Owner Don Wehby, who was emotional about the victory by Atomica, said that he was pleased with his charge’s performance.

“I am very satisfied with the performance…she has been a challenge to train this year and we have been training her very carefully. Trainer Gary Subratie has done a fantastic job with her,” he said

Jockey Dane Dawkins, who has been in the saddle aboard Atomica for 16 of the 17 times she has raced, said that the race was as easy as one, two, three.

“I know that it was a three-horse race, but I wasn’t worried one bit. I know my horse, I know how she runs, and so I was very confident in victory,” Dawkins said.

Dawkins had Atomica in third place heading into the clubhouse turn and onto the main track, just behind of Runaway Algo (Raddesh Roman) and Blue Vinyl (Javaniel Patterson). Atomica emerged as the leader at the six-furlong stage, ahead of Blue Vinyl and Runaway Algo, with three horses spaced across the track down the backstretch.

As the half-mile (800m) turn approached, Atomica increased the tempo slightly ahead of Blue Vinyl, as Runaway Algo began to hook backward and fade through the field. Atomica maintained her advantage entering the lane, and despite Blue Vinyl’s refusal to give up his speed, the brilliant filly won easily.

Blue Vinyl finished in second place, some 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Miniature Man (Abigail Able) in third place. A disappointing Runaway Algo completed the frame in the six-horse field.

It was the third winner on the 10-race card for both Subratie and Dawkins. The duo had earlier teamed up with the talented unbeaten Desert of Malibu to win the third running of the $1.5-million St Elizabeth Distaff, an Overnight Allowance event for three-year-old and upward fillies and mare over one mile (1,600m).

The 2023 Yearling Sale takes place tomorrow in the official car park starting at 12:00 pm.

Racing continues next weekend with races on Saturday and Sunday.