RACING NEWS FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2023
DELORY WISDOM NOTCHES FIRST WINNER IN 2023
Trainer Delroy Wisdom saddled his first winner for the year when his charge Jupiter Man easily won a native-bred four-year-old and upwards maiden condition race over 7 furlongs (1,400m).
Jupiter Man (Storm Craft – Valley of Queens) got a decent break at the start under jockey Phillip Parchment and settled just in fourth place down the backstretch as She’s Hall Dat (Jordan Barret) and King Air (Shavon Townsend) set the pace ahead of Diamond Rock (Jawara Steadman).
As they approached the half-mile (800 m) mark King Air increased the tempo while Diamond Rock and Blue Persuasion (Trevor Simpson) pursued, with Jupiter Man overtaking a fading She’s Hall Dat. Approaching the distance, Blue Persuasion took control as Jupiter Man surrounded Diamond Rock to go down in second place.
Turning for home on the outside of Blue Persuasion, Jupiter Man briefly joined the leader in deep stretch before pulling away inside the final furlong (200 meters) to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Blue Persuasion held her gallop well for second place, with Mickey C (Oshane Nugent) filling the thrid slot. The final time for the event was 1:32.1.
DANCINGINTHEBREEZE GOES ONE BETTER
Dancinginthebreeze, after finishing second to Queen Adele over 6 furlongs (1,200m) on January 29, made no mistake this time in a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) and imported five-year-old and upwards (maiden) at 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
With Paul Francis in the saddle for trainer Edward Stanberry, Dancinginthebreeze (American Dance – Herecomesthebreeze) broke off well and was settled in second place behind Hopenperseverance (Chris Mamdeen) going into the half-mile turn, with Sensational Storm (Aaron Chatrie) in close touch behind in third place.
Dancinginthebreeze made his run approaching the distance when he hit the front full of running entering the straight for the drive. The five-year-old bay gelding responded well to Francis’s whip cracks and drew off for an easy 3 1/4-length win at the wire.
Tiger Bella (Roger Hewitt) made a strong run in deep stretch to finish in second place ahead of Hopenperseverance, who held on for third place. The final time was recorded at 1:13.3.
ROWAN MATHIE, DEVON A THOMAS COMBINE FOR FIRST SEASONAL WIN
Trainer Rowan Mathie and jockey Devon A Thomas combined to win their first race for the season with six-year-old chestnut gelding Dodge This Link, in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($400,000-$300,000) spread that included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of four) and imported six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) going 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Action Run (Samantha Fletcher) dashed to the front when the starter pressed the go button, holding the lead ahead of Queen Deftiny (Oshane Nugent), with Dodge This Link racing prominently behind in third place. Dodge This Link maintained his steady gallop, navigating the half-mile turn until turning for home when he made the bold move to challenge Action Run for the lead in deep stretch.
With three horses spread across the track, Dodge This Link emerged as the leader at the furlong pole ahead of Action Run and Vampire Rejection (Jordan Barrett), who were battling bravely behind. Dodge This Link went on for the win by half-length ahead of Action Run, with Vampire Rejection a length and a half behind in third place. The final time was 1:17.2.
KEFFIN MURRAY CONTINUES GOOD FORM
Trainer Keffin Muarry continued to enjoy a purple patch in 2023 when Danny Spud, who made all the running in the three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($750,000-$600,000) call travelling 6 furlongs.
Ridden by Trevor Simpson, Danny Spud shot to the front at the start of the seventh race and held the advantage ahead of Atlantic Blue (Kiaman McGregor) and Step In Faith (Dane Dawkins). Danny Spud led the field around the half-mile turn and into the straight for the last two furlongs (400m) of the race, scraping paint on the inside rails.
With Atlantic Blue pulling up in deep stretch due to an injury, Danny Spud was free of pressure and held his gallop well to the line, winning the contest by a length ahead of Colorado Ranger (Phillip Parchment) and Step In Faith. The six-year-old bay horse completed the distance in a time of 1:17.1.
SIX HORSES CLAIMED
Paul Charlton claimed Dodge This Link for owner Raphael Gordon from Rowan Mathie; Steven Todd claimed Nez Perse for himself from Dennis Pryce; and Donovan Russell claimed Action Run for owner Oshaune Graham from Keffin Murray from the fifth race. All horses were claimed for $400,000 each.
In the seventh race Dennis Thwaites claimed Donalmighty for owner Donald Plummer for $750,000 from Phillip Lee; Paul Charlton claimed Danny Spud for owner Terrence Sancko for $750,000 from Keffin Murray; and Fitzgerald Richards claimed Step In Faith for owner Sandra Solomon, also for $750,000, from Ryan Williams.
— Ruddy Allen