Our Angel the fairest of them all
OUR Angel, in a dominating performance, outstayed rivals to win the $3.75-million Jamaica Oaks Classic at Caymanas Park on Sunday.
Bred and owned by Racing Associates 2, trained by Robert Pearson and ridden by Reyan Lewis, Our Angel won by five lengths, stopping the clock over 10 furlongs (2,000m) in 2:11.1 seconds.
It was an even start for most of the runners in the 10-horse field as Our Angel sat behind Golden Wattle (Tevin Foster) passing the stands for the first time and around the clubhouse turn. Sunset Silhoutte (Anthony Thomas) chased the leaders from close range.
Our Angel continued to bide her time down the backstretch as Golden Wattle tried to steal a march on the field. Our Angel and Silent Mission (Phillip Parchment) joined Golden Wattle going into the half-mile (800m) turn.
Our Angel then slipped through to the lead, with Silent Mission on her outside. Golden Wattle renewed her challenge but once they straightened for the drive, the race was all over as Our Angel sprinted clear.
Sunset Silhoutte ran on for second place as Pelicula (Dane Dawkins) finished third.
Pearson said that he was confident Our Angel would deliver.
“We ran her [Our Angel] three weeks ago in a nine furlong and 25 yards event just to get her in a two-turn race. She trained really well, she worked seven furlongs in 1:29.3, and so I was pretty confident in her victory today,” Pearson said.
Lewis, who was winning the Jamaica Oaks for the second time having won with She’s A Wonder last year, said that it was a straight forward race for him as he just a mere pilot.
“The plan was to get a good break, get her relaxed in a good pace, and ask her to run for the last quarter — and that played out and I am grateful for the win,” Lewis said.
— Ruddy Allen