The staging of each Open Allowance/Graded Stakes highlights the overall lack of quantity and quality in the two top classes and generally in the declining horse population.

Looking at the trajectory in the Pan American region, the major threat to the horseracing industry is the diminishing interest of investment in the breeding industry causative by the racing product delivered in the confusing and chaotic 96-year-old American Claiming System.

In the featured Legal Light Trophy only five faced the starter for the nine furlongs and 25 yards gallop of the scheduled race two.

Guided by 2023 champion Reyan Lewis, Run Julie Run (2-5), conditioned by Ian Parsard, justified the overwhelming support scoring a comfortable win with chief rival Inspire Force (USA), running from well off the pace, failing by nearly three lengths.

In the post-parade of the opening event, a four-furlong sprint for maiden three-year old colts, geldings and fillies, the number six horse with its glistening, very dark grey coat was a debutant named Bangarang (4-1).

Obviously well-schooled by Lincoln Lungs and ridden by Richie Shakes, the medium-sized progeny of Sensational Slam showed no sign of greenness in delivering a two-length victory margin at the expense of 2-5 bet Alive (Robert Halledeen). This was the first of two wins for Shakes on the 10-race Sunday card.

Race three, over six and a half furlongs, Bern Notice (4-5) with champion Raddesh Roman up, assisted the Adrian Prince charge to victory by two and a half lengths.

Over the same trip, Dick Cardenas the 2011 champion had Anthony Nunes’ Linguist (2-1) in front by just under eight lengths in race four. Silver Fox (9-5) was a neck in the lead at the end of the four furlongs straight of race five. Claimer Shane Richardson rode for trainer Errol Waugh.

Another Mission (9-5), with claimer Emelio McLean receiving a chance ride, won race six, run at six furlongs, by over seven lengths for the first leg of a double for owner/trainer Oral Hayden, whose closing leg of his stable double was confirmed with a near 14-length runaway over the six and a half furlongs of race seven by Midnight Galaxy (4-5) ridden by veteran Paul Francis.

Debutant Lockdown (6-1) trained by Howard Jaghai and ridden by Wesley Henry won over the five-furlong straight course race of race eight. Having had his ground taken by fellow debutant Don Kwesi (8-1), who passed the post in front, the Operation Stewards reversed the order of these top two finishers. To date this was Jaghai’s first starter of the season.

Favourite at even money Sonogram (Tajay Suckoo) declared by Robert Pearson scored by a length over the five furlongs straight of race nine.

While Brompton Alex (2-1) trained by Phillip Lee was just under three lengths the best in race ten over six furlongs for Richie Shakes to confirm his riding double success.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Lincoln Lungs for a great job in preparing Bangarang, a colt who had a mysterious swelling on his right hind leg which took time to heal and ruled him out of his Yearling Sales appearance.
Bangarang was also responsible for the Best Winning Gallop with Shakes’ accomplished assistance good enough for the Jockeyship Award.