Emperorofthecats gallops away with ‘Chris’ Armond trophy
EMPEROROFTHECATS, in a high-quality display of raw speed, swept all before him to win the fourth staging of the $2-million Christopher “Chris” Armond Sprint Trophy feature at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
Four-year-old bay gelding Emperorofthecats made one shake to win the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over five and a half furlongs (1,100m) by a dominating three lengths, against a quality field of six runners including this year’s Gold Cup winner She’s My Destiny. Emperorofthecats, bred, owned, and trained by Carl Anderson, came home in a time of 1:06.0 (22.4 x 45.3).
Emperorofthecats surged to the lead from the number one draw and took She’s My Destiny (Omar Walker) and Freedom Street (Jordan Barrett) into the half-mile (800m) turn under the direction of in form jockey Shavon Townsend. Emperorofthecats increased his lead entering the lane, and with no real rival in sight the Emperor Hall – Laws of the Cat progeny powered home for his second-consecutive victory and fifth overall from eight starts this season. Freedom Street maintained his speed strongly in the last stretch to finish second, ahead of She’s My Destiny in third. The frame was completed by Madelyn’s Sunshine (Ramon Nepare).
Meanwhile, Tevin Foster continued his winning ways with three more victories on the 10-race schedule. Foster, who had five winners in two days of racing last weekend, won with World Surprise for trainer Anthony Nunes in the fourth race, Don Pablo for trainer Alford Brown in the seventh race, and Wild Fire for trainer Anthony Smith in the 10th and final race.
Brown had previously saddled Prissie (Javaniel Patterson) in the second race for a double on the day.
Racing continues on Tuesday.