EASY DOES IT FOR ANNGELOS
Trained by Lawrence Freemantle and ridden by Christopher Mamdeen, Anngelos brushed aside rivals in a three-year-olds and upwards Optional Claiming ($550,000-$450,000) call that also included native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of four) going 7 furlongs (1,400m).
It was a even start for most of the runners with Anngelos racing in third place down the backstretch, watching Fabulosity (Roger Hewitt) skipping along ahead of D’s Choice, the mount of Shane Ellis.
Anngelos slipped down into second at the half- mile before picking up the lead at the top of the straight. Once the five-year-old chestnut mare entered the lane, the race was over as she went clear to win by 4¾ lengths in a time of 1:28.1. D’s Choice finished second with Doctor Grey (Reyan Lewis) third.
TRULICITY A WINNER AFTER EQUIPMENT CHANGE
Running with the blinkers off and the cheekpieces on, Trulicity finally came good for his connections in a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of two) and imported five-year-old and upwards (maidens) event travelling 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Trulicity, trained by Kevin Brivette and ridden by Aaron Chatrie, disputed the lead with Little Buzz (Chris Mamdeen) going into the half-mile (800m) turn. Valiant (Raddesh Roman) and Three Card Guy (Andre Powell) raced behind.
Entering the straight for the final two furlongs, Trulicity began to draw clear of rivals, and although he shortened inside the final half-furlong, the five-year-old dark bay/brown gelding held on by a neck to beat the fast-finishing Valiant. Three Card Guy finished third ahead of Little Buzz with the final time recorded at a slow 1:19.0.
The win by Trulicity gave Brivette his first victory of this season.
RELIEF FOR THE CONNECTIONS OF ANOTHER VIGOROUS
After 27 attempts, the Rowan Mathie-conditioned Another Vigorous finally got rid of the heavy burden of being a maiden in a native-bred, four-year-old and upwards maiden condition event at 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Jockey Oneil Scott sent Another Vigorous to the front at the off and the chestnut filly held the lead ahead of Jungle Cat (Omar Walker), Bubbly Girl (Aaron Chatrie), and Magic Bullet (Shavon Townsend). Approaching the half-mile, Another Vigorous and Jungle Cat drew away from the rest of the pack. However, nearing the distance, Another Vigorous increased her tempo, wasting no time in powering away to win by 13 ½ lengths. Jungle Cat finished second ahead of Bubbly Girl in third. The winning time was 1:09.0 with fractions of 24.2 x 47.4.
MICHAEL HALL SADDLES FIRST WINNER THIS SEASON
Trainer Michael Hall saddled his first winner for the 2022 racing season after his charge Acapella won an Optional Claiming ($250,000-$200,000) race that included native-bred six-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (maiden) travelling down the straight course at 5 furlongs (1,000m).
Ridden by Aaron Chatrie, Acapella raced close to the leaders in the early exchanges as Contractor (Shavon Townsend) led the field ahead of Boss Izzy, the mount of Oshane Nugent. As the runners sorted themselves out crossing the dummy rails, Boss Izzy surged to the front ahead of Contractor and looked the winner from there — but Chatrie produced Acapella for a late run and the chestnut mare responded to get to the winning post in front. Finishing third was Boss Izzy. The final time was clocked at 1:00.1.
TWO HORSES CLAIMED
In the first race, Dennis Thwaites claimed Fabulosity for owner Vinute Taylor from Junior Small for $550,000.
In the fourth race, Byron Davis claimed Blu Attitude for owner Glendon Drummond from Uton Stewart for $250,000.
