JAMALJAMES GOES ONE BETTER
JamalJames, after finishing second to Sir Puddington on April 17, returned and made no mistake in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) event at seven furlongs.
Trained by Wilfred Chin and ridden by Tevin Foster, JamalJames sat well relaxed in second place down the backstretch behind Sir Arjun Babu (Anthony Thomas) with Sweet Surprise (Youville Pinnock) and April Spirit (Calvin Bailey) close by.
Still chasing Sir Arjun Babu around the half-mile and into the lane, Foster produced his mount in deep stretch on the inside rails and JamalJames responded by pulling away to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Sir Arjun Babu finished second and Sweet Surprise third. The final time was 1:32.0.
CARTEL MAKES ONE MOVE
In a dominating front-running display, the eight-year-old bay gelding Cartel got home in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($750,000-$600,000) spread over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Hustled up from the number one post by jockey Paul Francis, Cartel assumed the early lead ahead of A Seh Soup (Jordan Barrett) and Lala Diva (Javaniel Patterson) going into the turn. Cartel kept his gallop in the lane and when asked to really go, sprinted off to win by 1 1/4 lengths.
Killer Bee (Natalie Berger) came with a run on the inside rails in the final furlong to earn second, with Lala Diva filling the third slot. The winning time was 1:09.2.
TRAINER VICTOR WILLIAMS GETS OFF THE MARK
Veteran trainer Victor Williams saddled his first winner for the season after Royal Vibes, with Anthony Thomas in the saddle, brushed aside rivals in an Optional Claiming ($550,000-$500,000) race at a mile.
Royal Vibes walked out of the starting gates but was able to couple up quickly, moving into third place behind Graydon (Robert Halledeen) and Lazer Light (Shane Ellis) down the backstretch.
Royal Vibes went through for the lead at the half-mile and continued to increase his advantage with every stride. Royal Vibes won by nine lengths in a time of 1:43.4 ahead of Silent Cat (Samantha Fletcher) and War of the Roses (Phillip Parchment).
SIX HORSES CLAIMED
In the opening race, Phillip Elliott claimed Sir Arjun Babu for himself from David Powell, Colin Ferguson claimed winner JamalJames for owner Somora Clarke from Wilfred Chin, and Ryan Williams claimed Isotope for owner The Hustler from Nicholas Smith. All three horses from the first race were claimed for $250,000 each.
Dennis Pryce claimed Turnonthelight for owner Busy Racing Stable for $750,000 from Gary Griffiths from the second race.
In the third race, Ryan Darby claimed the winner Royal Vibes for owner Kevin Whitter for $525,000 from Victor Williams and Marlon Anderson claimed Dezzy The Genius for owner Yehert Miller for $550,000 from Nicholas Smith.
