TRAINER Ian Alexander expressed high satisfaction with his charge Always Bourbon’s first run on local soil, describing the colt’s victory on Saturday, September 19, 2026 as a successful introduction to assess the animal’s potential.

The three-year-old, American-bred, grey/roan colt Always Bourbon, in his first start at Caymanas Park, showed grit and determination to win the $1.1-million Louis Hitchins Memorial Cup, a Restricted Allowance II contest for native-bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) and imported three-year-olds and upward (maidens) over seven furlongs (1,400m).

Ridden by Paul “Country” Francis, Always Bourbon got home by a head in a driving finish, ahead of
Maverick (Robert Halledeen), with God’s Plan (Emelio McLean) a further two lengths adrift in third.

There was a stewards’ change after, with Maverick disqualified and placed third and God’s Plan promoted to second. The winning time was 1:28.2 (24.0 x 47.4 x 1:14.2).

Always Bourbon (Paul Francis) is being led into the winners’ enclosure after winning the Louis Hitchins Memorial Cup on Saturday, September 19, 2026. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

For Alexander, the narrow win was more than enough for day one.

“I am very pleased with the performance because he has not reached where we want him to be. It was just what you would call an introduction out here to see what he is made of and what he can do. He is still green, he is not ready yet — far from ready — so we are just trying to see exactly where he is at,” Alexander told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

Asked about the colt’s preparation and how he came out of the race, the trainer was upbeat.

Connections try to calm Always Bourbon (Paul Francis) in the winners’ enclosure after winning the Louis Hitchins Memorial Cup on Saturday, September 19, 2026. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“Excellent. He was training very well going into the race and he came out of the race in excellent condition as well. We’ll move from there. I am just going to watch him from here on and see how he progresses,” Alexander noted.

Always Bourbon got a good break at the off and settled in third place behind Cindy’s Rush (Omar Walker) and Maverick down the backstretch. He maintained his gallop well until navigating the half-mile (800m) turn when he went in chase of Maverick, who picked up the tempo going into the bend.

Maverick continued to be stubborn on the lead in deep stretch and looked likely the winner, but inside the final stages of the race Always Bourbon, along with God’s Plan, came with a strong run. Always Bourbon got up in time for the win.

Always Bourbon is bred by Always Dreaming out of the Candy Ride mare Tuberose.