Winning the featured race seven, the Mr Sensational Trophy over seven furlongs, was a mere formality for Sir Don (USA), one of the smartest juveniles ever imported. Schooled by former three-time champion Anthony Nunes, the Spun To Run colt won his first two races over four and five and a half furlongs by a combined margin of over 18 lengths, posting 46.4 seconds and 1:06.0, respectively.

Today’s seven-furlong canter of Sir Don with champion Raddesh Roman at the reins was in a time of 1:26.1, which could have been a full two or more seconds faster if requested. With an effortless win margin of 16¼ lengths, theoretically combined with time and weight carried (123lb/56kilos), gives
Sir Don(USA) a top-class rating of 194, which is 114lb/51.5kilos in Graded Stakes Handicap company.

Whilst unusual for five decades, many of the importees of English and later American bloodlines made it to the top class at two years old in the 60s, 70s, and 80s, schooled by some of our greatest trainers. Incidentally, the quality of local bloodstock has deteriorated to a level at which the Classic winners succeeding in the top class is a modern rarity.

The 2022 champion, Dane Dawkins, got the form players off to a good start, with 8-5 backed
Dream To Reality escaping the late challenge of 20-1 shot Cryptogirl to score by a half a length in the opening event over the five furlongs straight course. Saddled by Saqlain Roman, this was the first of two on the day for Dawkins.

Race two of 10 on the card, a Maiden Special Weight over five and a half furlongs, restricted to foals of 2024, went to 3-1 bet Darwin, ridden by claimer Tajay Suckoo for trainer Richard Azan, who also saddled the short-headed runner-up Mo Pai (9-2) that was guided by Tevin Foster.

The next four races went to horses ridden by very promising 2024 graduates of the Jamaica Racing Commission Riding School. First up was Emelio McLean aboard Warsaw (2-1), whose long-awaited return to form materialised with a two-and-a-half-length front-running triumph over the five and a half furlongs of race three. Warsaw, a speedy sort when in form, was saddled by owner Raymond Townsend.

Demar Williams was next in line to deliver a smooth performance aboard, second-generation conditioner Robert Pearson’s The Leviticus. Favourite at 8/5 to win race four, she won by just over two lengths. This was the opener of the double success of Williams, with seven race meetings remaining in the 2025 season, who, on 40 now, has six wins more than chief rival Richie Shakes for the apprentice championship and most improved rider awards.

Shakes helped himself to the first of a double as Ascend (9-5), racing for only the second time, made her debut far back as October 19, 2024. This progeny of Bern Identity was turned out in immaculate condition by Barrington Bernard, who is also the owner. Ascend was always clear and scored by nearly five lengths over the four furlongs straight course.

An hour and a half later, it was Williams’ time again in race six, a four-furlong straight dash. Phoenix Risen (8-5) was saddled by Lawrence Freemantle for career win number 300 for the hard-working conditioner, whose dedication to his craft is exemplary. Phoenix Risen, entered for his lowest ever tag at $350,000, won by one and a half lengths.

In race eight, the Bernard/Shakes collaboration confirmed their double success in style with Wayne’scherrylinks(7-2) controlling the pace of the five-furlong straight race eight to score by three lengths. Whilst race nine, the secondary, featured the Kaz Hoshay Trophy over five and a half furlongs was won from in front by California Crown (2-1) with Robert Halledeen at the reins for champion conditioner Jason DaCosta. To close the card, 15-1 shot, US-bred QuantumStar (Christopher Mamdeen), saddled by owner Oral Hayden, was a neck ahead of the nearest of 15 rivals at the end of the five-furlong straight event.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Barrington Bernard for the winning run of Ascend, coming off the extended one-year-plus layoff. The Best Winning Gallop came on the hooves of Darwin, whose marginal victory was achieved with the full skill set, including judgement of pace, correct tactical execution on the far rails, and temperament of Tajay Suckoo for his Jockeyship Award.

Richie Shakes winning aboard Ascend in the fifth race. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)