What was billed as the racing season’s showdown between the most accomplished talents turned out to be an anticlimax as Horse of the Year Atomica swept everyone before her in an explosive run to win the $2.5-million Viceroy Trophy feature at Caymanas Park on Easter Monday.

Atomica reignited rivalries with Is That A Fact and Rough Entry in what was expected to be another close finish in the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over one mile (1,600m).

However, Atomica won with consummate ease while beating her closest rival, Is That A Fact, by an ever-increasing 15 ½ lengths on a common canter.
Green Gold Rush came home in third place, with Rough Entry completing the frame in the four-horse field.

Ridden by Omar Walker for owner Oakridge Farms and trainer Gary Subratie, Atomica (Nuclear Wayne— Honkeytonyville) ran the distance in a smooth 1:39.2 (23.2 x 45.2 x 1:11.1).

It was also sweet revenge for Atomica, as she was previously beaten by Is That A Fact in the Chairman’s Trophy over seven and a half lengths by two lengths. Last year’s Mouttet Mile winner, Rough Entry, finished in third place in the race.

Atomica broke off well at the start of the race, in second place behind Rough Entry, ridden by the visiting Reylu Gutierrez.
Atomica wasted no time in charging to the front, leaving the intersection at the seven-furlong (1,400m) pole and leading the field down the backstretch at a brisk pace ahead of Rough Entry, Is That A Fact (Josue Osorio), and Green Gold Rush (Sadiki Blake).

Atomica was then challenged by Is That Fact, but that was for a brief moment as the chestnut mare upped the tempo and increased her lead while navigating the half-mile (800m) turn. Turning for home with no real challengers coming forward, Atomica turned on the afterburner and powered home to win easily at the wire.

“She [Atomica] was pacing on nicely, so I let her run freely. I just asked her to pick it up at the top of the lane, and she responded and won easily,” Walker said.

Atomica was one of three winners on the 10-race card for Subratie, while Oakridge Farms, Walker, and groom Lyndel Bennett registered two wins on the programme.

Subratie, Oakridge Farms, Walker, and Bennett teamed up with Paper Work to win the eighth race, a maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-olds over the straight at five furlongs (1,000m). Subratie then saddled Noble Attitude (Reyan Lewis) in the 10th and final event for his three winners.

Lewis also went home with three winners on the day. In addition to Noble Attitude, Lewis won aboard Bin Laden in the first race for trainer Steven Todd and
Ability for trainer Patrick Lynch in the ninth race, the $1.25-million Easter Print Cup over five and a half furlongs (1,100m).

Racing continues on Saturday.