The year’s renewal of the Mark My Word Trophy over the extended circular nine-furlong course to honour the exploits of the 2010 Triple Crown champion and three-time winner of the Super Stakes

was featured on the nine-race Sunday programme. The 2024 Mouttet Mile hero Funcaandun (USA) from the Jason DaCosta expansive barn was sent off at 8-5, whilst surprisingly six-year-old mare,

Atomica, a two-time Horse of the Year(2022-23), was bet at 4-5 favourite and Run Julie Run (7-2). Given a pace-making role, DaCosta’s other entry, Mamma Mia, set the early fractions to ensure

Funcaandun (USA) will have an easier task of overhauling the pacy Atomica. Omar Walker waited for the pacemaker to come back before assuming the lead just under four furlongs out. Funcaandun (USA) overtook the weakening Atomica at the distance easily enough.

However, the strapping American four-year-old colt had to be driven out to beat the game Run Julie Run (Reyan Lewis) by two lengths for Robert Halledeen to enjoy three important wins from the five engagements partnering with champion Funcaadun (USA). Two outings ago, seven-year-old mare Big Argument (5-1) was trying to match strides with horses at

the Overnight Allowance level. Claimed by New Blue Limited and entered for today’s $700,000 opening event over five and a half furlongs, the Big Argument, staying on well inside the last furlong, was driven to a three parts of a length ascendancy by claimer Anthony Allen for trainer Michael Marlowe.

Having its fourth race day appearance in race two over seven furlongs, The Real Identity (4-5) defeated 3-5 bet favourite Money Box by 10 lengths. The Bern Identity-bred five-year-old horse was also an 11-length winner on his second outing. Ridden by Evertte Clunis, The Real Identity, although hopping as usual when exiting the starting gates, got the best start of four for trainer Fitznahum Williams’s sixth win from 26 declarations this season. Veteran reinsman Aaron “The Iceman” Chatrie was at his enterprising best as riding 4-1 shot
Papa Gray from in front over the seven-and-a-half-furlong distance of race three, lasted home by a nose.

The late threat came in the form of Always Wright (5-2) with Anthony Allen seeking a riding double, but it was too late to delay trainer Barrington Dawes’ first trip to the winners’ enclosure this season. In race four, Linstead Market (10-1) outsprinted his 10 rivals over the minimum five-furlong gallop on the round course. Formerly trained by Gary Subratie and declared by David Powell for owner Derron Herah, the four-year-old chestnut progeny of Patton Proud won by just over five lengths. For double success, winning rider Richard Henry was back in the winners’ enclosure aboard Lucky Papa (4-1) after the close finish of race eight.

There was only a neck separating Lucky Papa, trained by Lorne Kirlew, from Aalkebulan (3-1), ridden by champion jockey and season leader Raddesh Roman. Another former Gary Subratie inmate, Natural Dancer, did trainer Marlon Powell and long-serving reinsman Devon A Thomas a good turn by winning race five from in front. Well rated by Thomas over the seven furlongs of race five, the Natural Selection bred filly stayed on strongly to score by just under four lengths for the rider’s first success from only 10 opportunities this season. Meanwhile, speaking of limited opportunities, Andrew Wright was on only his seventh mount of the season aboard Steven Todd’s
Native Flyer (26-1) in race six.

Throughout the five-furlong straight gallop of the maiden condition event dubbed the Father’s Day Special, Wright kept the little chestnut filly perfectly balanced and running from the unfavourable number two post position in a 12-horse field. Native Flyer responded well to better Enthusiastic (4-5) by two lengths. Interestingly and coincidentally, on Father’s Day, Lucky Papa and Papa Gray were winners.

The Raddesh Roman’s legion of supporters were happy to recoup some losses with Rhosa The Warrior (8-5) getting the better of 15-1 bet
Rusty by a length in the closing ninth event run at five furlongs straight. Although not especially consistent, being difficult to train,
Rhosa The Warrior, a six-year-old mare declared by Phillip Elliot, was having her second win of the season and sixth in her 29-race career.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Fitznahum Williams for the wide margin 11 and 10 lengths successes in two of four career starts by five-year-old The Real Identity, whose very belated debut only came on April 05 this year. The Best Winning Gallop, which required speed and courage, was performed by Lucky Papa with Richard Henry’s skill set worthy of the Jockeyship Award.