Riley J, a talented three-year-old bay filly trained by Lorne Kirlew, delivered an impressive performance to win the $1.1 million PW’s Choice Trophy on July 13, 2025. With a strategic equipment change, Riley J shed her blinkers and figure-8 and donned cheek pieces, which seemed to make all the difference.

Ridden by jockey Wesley Henry, Riley J had a strong start, breaking off well and tracking the leaders, Margarita (Raddesh Roman) and No Apology (Natalie Berger). As they approached the straight, Henry expertly manoeuvred Riley J into the lead, and she pulled away to win by a convincing 3 ½ lengths. The final time was 1:09.4 over 5 ½ furlongs.

Kirlew attributed the win to the equipment change.

“I didn’t get to see the race, but I expected her to win based on the equipment change and her recent workouts. She’s a very nice horse, and I think she’ll win more races,’ Kirlew told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

Henry praised Riley J’s improved start.

“I got a good start, and the trainer told me about her previous bad break. We worked on it in the mornings at the starting gates, and it paid off today. I just left them, Margarita and No Apology, on the headline a bit and came around them in deep stretch, and that was that,” he said.

— Ruddy Allen