KINGSTON, Jamaica – Blue Vinyl produced a superb performance albeit in an unexpected manner to win the 96th 10-furlong Classic Jamaica St Leger, the second of the Triple Crown series of races.
With his 4 ¼-length victory in the St Leger with Raddesh Roman in the saddle for trainer Patrick “Wacky" Lynch, Blue Vinyl remains on target to win the much-vaunted Triple Crown. For trainer Lynch, owner Michael Gayle and Roman, it was their first success in the coveted Jamaica St Leger.
When the gates open it was Brinks (Reyan Lewis) who went to the front from the one draw, with Atomica (Dane Dawkins) in a clump of horses in mid-track, while Blue Vinyl in unaccustomed fashion moved swiftly from the outside to contest the lead.
Down the backstretch, it was still Brinks, with Atomica getting a better position, while Blue Vinyl showing speed for the first time in his nine career starts.
Blue Vinyl harassed Brinks going to the six-furlong marker, as Atomica started to near her preferred place – in front. At this stage, the astute Roman backed Blue Vinyl away from Brinks and Atomica, choosing to relax easily in third.
Atomica picked up the tempo at the start of the second turn but as the filly moved, so did Roman and Blue Vinyl.
The two main protagonists entered the straight, locked together with Atomica on the inside and Blue Vinyl on the outside. After a brief battle, the power and class of Blue Vinyl took over. Blue Vinyl acceleration was too much for Atomica to handle, as the chestnut colt went on without any difficulties to win in a final time 2:07.3 after splits of 23.4 x 49.2 x 1:13.4 x 1:39.4.
Atomica finished second with Brinks third.
| RACE 10***JAMAICA ST LEGER***NB3YO FUTURITY 10 FURLONGS 5:10 PM | ||||||
| POS | NO | HORSE | JOCKEY | ODDS | WIN | PLACE |
| 1 | 12 | Blue Vinyl | Raddesh Roman | 7-5 | $120.00 | $55.00 |
| 2 | 5 | Atomica | Dane Dawkins | 1-5 | $52.50 | |
| 3 | 1 | Brinks | Reyan Lewis | 27-1 | $74.00 | |
| 4 | 7 | D Head Cornerstone | Andre' Martin | 71-1 | ||
| 5 | 10 | Morimoto | Tevin Foster | 43-1 | ||
| TRAINER: Patrick Lynch | ||||||
| Split 23.4 x 49.2 x 1:13.4 x 1:39.4 - Final Time: 2:07.3 - Margins: 4 1/4 by 2 3/4 - 13 RAN | ||||||
| Ex: $252 | T/Fecta: $240 | Hi-5: $5,793 | ||||
| Qu: $69 | S/Fecta: $2,727 | Triple: $1,050 | ||||
| D/E: $307 | Pick-4: $808 | Twilight 6: $12,912 | ||||
| Pick-5: $732.50 | PlacePot: $1,661 | |||||
| Ketch-9: $175,412.50 | ||||||
