JOCKEY Robert Halledeen produced a well-timed ride aboard the United States-bred
Funcaandun to win the Mark My Word Trophy on Sunday’s nine-race card at Caymanas Park.

Funcaandun, conditioned by champion trainer Jason DaCosta, went off at odds of 7-5 in the nine-furlong, 25-yard event which featured a small field of seven horses. He won in a time of 1:57.2.

Run Julie Run, steered by former champion jockey Reyan Lewis, finished second while third went to
Sheer Delight, ridden by Wesley Henry.

Halledeen said he was pleased with his horse’s efforts.

“Jason said that I should break sharp and let him develop under his legs — and everything the trainer told me worked out perfect[ly] today,” he said.

“He is the Horse of the Year from last year… he got a run this year, and he is getting much fitter and now he is back to himself. Hopefully he keeps sound for the rest of the year and we will be happy,” Halledeen added.

Meanwhile Native Flyer, with jockey Andrew Wright, produced a massive 26-1 upset to win the Father’s Day Special Trophy in the sixth event. This Maiden Condition race for three-year-old horses was contested over the five-straight course.

Native Flyer, who led from start to finish, is trained by Steven Todd and clocked a time of 1:02.4. Todd said he was a bit surprised by his horse’s victory.

“We weren’t very confident, but it is a horse that has shown some ability before,” Todd noted. “We had some issues with her that we corrected and so we put it in the hands of the jockey — because we have been working her in the mornings — and he told me that she was ready and so now we are in the winners’ enclosure.”