Racing News – Saturday, March 25, 2023
THE WALKER, AND WALKER WINNING COMBO
Trainer Edward Walker saddled his first winner in 2023 from his start when Prince Dominick was victorious in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) spread.
Going over 6 furlongs (1,200m) with Omar Walker in the saddle, Prince Dominick shot to the front at the off and held a slim lead ahead of Sly Stalloon (Roger Hewitt) and Hail Mary (Shane Richardson). Sly Stalloon surged to the front going into the half-mile (800m) turn but Prince Dominick regained the lead approaching the distance and brought the field into the lane on a merry clip.
Turning for home with no real challengers, Prince Dominick went about his business, winning by 2¾ lengths ahead of Ricky Ricardo (Anthony Thomas) and Ridewiththemob, the mount of Youville Pinnock). The final time for the race was 1:18.0 (23.4 x 48.4).
JOYFUL
Joyful, running with the figure 8 on in only his second outing for the season, easily won a five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) and imported five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) over 5½ furlongs (1,100m).
Joyful broke off well under jockey Javaniel Patterson, settling in second place behind Big Argument (Paul Francis). Going into the half-mile turn Joyful took over proceedings and began to open up on rivals approaching the distance as Big Argument, Victoriasmedallion (Oneil Mullings), and Silver Fox (Dane wDawkins) chased.
Turning for home, Joyful turned on the pressure and powered away in deep stretch to get home by 8 lengths. Silver Fox, who hugged the inside rails entering the drive, found racing room to finish in second place, some 6¼ lengths ahead of Sensational Ending (Reyan Lewis) in third place.
After recording splits of 23.3 x 47.3 the final time was clocked at 1:08.1.
JOHNCROW
Stepping down from Overnight Allowance company, the Jason DaCosta -trained Johncrowjeff obliged in the three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($750,000-$600,000) event over 6 furlongs.
Ridden by Robert Halledeen, Johncrowjeff after getting out of his starting stall raced on the outside of One Don (Dane Dawkins) in second, with Manaco (Shane Richardson) and Donalmighty (Linton Steadman) behind. Going into the turn, One Don continued to lead ahead of Johncrowjeff in what looked like a match race from there on as both runners entered the straight locked together.
Halledeen kept his mount well balanced on the outside and Johncrowjeff found extra in deep stretch to win by 2¾ lengths from Kay Boy (Tevin Foster) and One Don at the line. The final time for the race was 1:15.2.
MAGICAL MOOD
Trained by Keffin Murray and ridden by Andre Powell, Magical Mood got up in time to land a 14-1 upset in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($1m-$800,000) call over 5 furlongs (1,000m) straight.
When the starter pressed the go button, Magical Mood was prominent along with Thalos (Roger Hewitt), Will The Conquerer (Anthony Thomas), and Denbigh Life, the mount of Paul Francis, in the early exchange. Coming across the dummy rails Denbigh Life emerged as the lone leader but Powell got his mount into groove and Magical Mood put in a strong bid within the final furlong, battling with Will The Conquerer as Denbigh Life faded out of contention.
In the end, Magical Mood got up to beat the fast-finishing Ras Emanuel by a short head in a time of 1:004. Finishing in third place was Will The Conquerer.
SEVEN HORSES CLAIMED
In the first race Errol Subratie claimed Ricky Ricardo for himself for $250,000 from Steven Todd; Delroy Wisdom claimed Ridewiththemob for owner G-Links Connection for $250,000 from Lincoln Lungs; and Rudolph Hardial claimed Ultimatum for owner Foster’s Inc, also for $250,000.
In the third race Dennis Thwaites claimed Den Street for owner Carlton Watson from Leroy Tomlinson; Anthony Dixon claimed Johncrowjeff for owner Steve Cunningham from Jason DaCosta; and Raymond Townsend claimed Donalmighty for himself from Phillip Elliott. All claims from the third event were done for $750,000 each.
In the fourth race Steven Todd claimed Will The Conquerer for himself for $1 million from Raymond Townsend.