Trainer Subratie, jockey Dawkins grab spotlight at Caymanas
Trainer Gary Subratie and jockey Dane Dawkins stole the spotlight by combining to win four races on the 10-race card, including super filly Atomica in the $1.29-million I’msatisfied Trophy feature race at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
Atomica, this year’s winner of the Jamaica St Leger and Derby Classic races, easily brushed aside rivals in the three-year-old and upward Open Allowance contest over six furlongs (1,200m) by an impressive 7 ½ lengths. The time of 1:10.4 done by the chestnut filly was a new Stakes Record over the distance, while the Track Record still stood at 1:09.3 done by the mighty Eros in 1993.
Atomica was never really in any trouble as the Nuclear Wayne offspring disputed the early lead with Curlin’s Affair (Christopher Mamdeen) before picking up the pace going into the half-mile (800m) turn. Although Atomica was tested by She’s My Destiny (Omar Walker) approaching the distance, the fleet-footed runner found another gear and sprinted clear in deep stretch to register her seventh-career win from eight starts.
She’s My Destiny held on well for second place, a length and three quarters ahead of Dejae’s Boy (Nicolas Hibbert) in third place. Splits were 22.2 x 45.3.
“I wasn’t worried at all during the race. She was more relaxed today [Saturday] as compared to how she was in her previous races, and so I was comfortable. When I asked her to go into deep stretch, she responded enthusiastically, and I was pleased and proud of her. I used to her and she used to me, and the rest is history,” Dawkins told the Jamaica Observer.
The duo’s other winners were first-time two-year-old runner Sistren Treasure in the second race; Atlantic Blue in the fourth race; and Alexa’s Dream in the day’s sixth race.
Subratie said that he was very much pleased with all of his runners’ performances.
“When you can win with a two-year-old for the first time out it is good. She [Sistren Treasure] broke slow and she came through well, and I was pleased with her. Atlantic Blue came back around to himself and he showed me with a win today as I put him in the class where I think he should win and Alexa’s Dream, who really surprised me and stepped up today. It’s not everyday you win four races and so I am grateful,” said Subratie.
Racing continues on Saturday.
— Ruddy Allen