THERE were two ‘atomic’ explosions on Saturday, October 1, 2022 — one at Caymanas Park and the other at Gulfstream Park in Florida, USA.

In Jamaica the win by three-year-old top-rated filly Atomica, with Dane Dawkins in the saddle, for trainer Gary Subratie cemented her status as one of the best — male or female — currently in training. Leaving the comfort of her protected conditions of racing solely among her age group cohort, Atomica demolished seasoned older rivals going six furlongs (1,200 metres) while clocking a Stakes record time of 1:10.4 with searing splits of 22.4 x 45.3. This was Atomica‘s first effort since winning the 12-furlong Jamaica Derby in the first week of August.

In Florida, it was the two-year-old filly Atomically, with a strong Jamaican connection, who advertised her class and well-being with a comprehensive victory in one of the top age group races on the circuit, the Florida Sire Series Stakes (the ‘My Dear Girl’) travelling a distance of 8½ furlongs. The event carried a total purse of US$400,000.

Atomically, a bay filly by Girvin out of She’s Unbelievable, was racing and winning for the second time in her career. She was timed in 1:45.35 seconds for the 8½-furlong distance with splits of 23.53 x 47.90 x 1:12.98 x 1:38.77.

Trained and part-owned by Jose Pinchin, with the other part-owner being Michael Bernard (operating locally under the nomenclature of Michros), Atomically was ridden to victory by jockey Edgar Perez and was bred by Bernard and Tracy Pinchin.

Jose Pinchin began his training career in Jamaica before migrating to Florida where he set up his tack in the 1990s. He is best remembered in Jamaica for conditioning the imperious, US-bred Blumenthal, who was known for winning several of the island’s major races carrying most of the time in excess of 126lb (57.0 kgs). While plying his trade in the United States, Jose Pinchin was also responsible for training the highly-thought-of Three Rules, who achieved a place in the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Bernard, a many-time champion owner with his horses wearing the familiar blue-and-white silks, reaped multiple successes locally with the likes of Duke, Wow Wow, Crimson, Nuclear Affair, Nipster, Another Affair, Curlin’s Affair and Nuclear Noon. Nipster, after wins in the Jamaica St Leger and the Ian Levy Trophy, was unanimously voted as the 2020 Horse of the Year.

“I have had many successes with my horses at Caymanas Park, plus there have been victories by horses that I have owned in the United States, but the win by Atomically yesterday [Saturday, October 1, 2022] was special and of the highest order.

“Her dam [mother – She’s Unbelievable] was purchased some time ago and was expected to be a more than competent racer. The dam then developed injury problems and could not race.

“We then decided to breed her and, after a long wait, She’s Unbelievable produced Atomically.

“I have been told that she came out of her Saturday effort without any issues so now I will be guided by the trainer as to where she [Atomically] goes next,” Bernard told the Jamaica Observer.

Prior to the victory by Bernard with Atomically, he reaped success in the US with Danbury in the Ocala Breeders Sprint Championship and with Sunshine N Shadow in Allowance company, both at Gulfstream Park. Sunshine N Shadow is now a standing stallion in Jamaica at Orange Valley Estates.