A STORMING UPSET AT 16-1
Storming, neglected at odds of 16-1 on the tote board upset rivals in an Optional Claiming ($180,000-$150,000) event for five-and-six-year-old horses travelling four furlongs (400m).
Storming (Oneil Mullings) trained by Ryan Darby, showed speed at the off, disputing the early lead with Money Marshall (Tevin Foster), Fourthousand (Phillip Parchment) and Supreme Star (Reyan Lewis). As the runners sorted themselves out passing the dummy rails, Storming was taken off the pace as Money Marshall and Supreme Star battled for top honours. Inside the final half-a-furlong Storming surged forward blowing by from rivals to score by 3 ¾-lengths, winning in a time of 50.0. Finishing second was Money Marshall while third went to Supreme Star.
SECRET EMPEROR FINALLY COMES GOOD
Secret Emperor, after 11 starts including some close finishes, finally went by the winning post in front in a native-bred three-year-olds Maiden Condition contest going 7½ furlongs (1,500m).
Ridden by Shane Ellis for breeder/owner/trainer Carl Anderson, Secret Emperor raced in third place behind Storm A Come (Tevin Foster) and Millinium Star (Paul Francis) down the backstretch.
Approaching the half mile (800m), Don Vincenzo (Reyan Lewis) slipped through on the rails to take control ahead of Millinium Star, with Secret Emperor getting closer with every stride. Approaching the distance, Secret Emperor hit the front and turned for home full of running.
Secret Emperor never gave up his gallop in deep stretch and coasted home by 2½ lengths. Don Vincenzo kept on for second with Anchorman (Anthony Thomas) third. The final time was 1:34.4.
BUZZ ASSAULT IN ONE SHAKE AGAIN
Roan gelding Buzz Assault led from the first jump in a dominating win among native-bred five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of three) and imported five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) over 6½ furlongs (1,300m).
Buzz Assault went to the front when the starter pressed his button and held the advantage over Jolly’s Dream (Roger Hewitt) and Mister A (Anthony Thomas) down the backstretch. Buzz Assault upped the tempo navigating the half mile as jockey Odeen Edwards let loose the reins aboard the Patrick Smellie-owned and -trained runner while Toughness (Dick Cardenas) and Daytona Belle (Nicholas Hibbert) chased.
Distance would then take its toll in the final stages of the race but Buzz Assault was too far in front to be caught, winning by 2¼ lengths. Duke of Springs (Samantha Fletcher) was second and Toughness third. The winning time was 1:23.3.
UNRULY BOSS REGAINS LOST FORM
After some disappointing efforts, Unruly Boss registered his first win for the season from 10 starts in a native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of four) over the straight course at 5 furlongs (1,000m).
Trained by Errol Subratie, Unruly Boss (Aaron Chatrie) was unable to go with the early leaders, as Alexa’s Dream (Raddesh Roman), She’s So Fabulous (Omar Walker) and Magical Mood (Odeen Edwards) set the early fractions.
Coming across the dummy rails with She’s So Fabulous continuing to blaze the trail, Unruly Boss came through with a strong run, going away to win by 3 lengths. Taurus Boy (Nicholas Hibbert) finished in second place ahead of She’s So Fabulous in third spot.
The final time for the race was 1:00.2.
SEVEN HORSES CLAIMED
Ryan Darby claimed winner of the sixth race Lazer Light for owner Raphael Gordon for $400,000 from Steven Todd, while Ryan Williams claimed second-finisher Hecandance for owner Rosdore also for $400,000.
In the eighth race, Ryan Darby claimed Sir Kel for owner Howard Taffe, Fernando Geddes claimed winner Thalos for owner Christopher Gordon from Anthony Nunes, and Arnold Rambally Jr claimed Giant Wheeler for owner James Forbes and Nadine Russell-Forbes from Jason DaCosta. All horses from the eighth event were claimed for $750,000 each.
Johnny Wilmot claimed Bern Notice for owner Rabalac Connection from Anthony Nunes for $1 million and Anthony Nunes claimed Azaria for himself, also for $1 million, from Wilfred Chin from the 10th race.
