KINGSTON, Jamaica – Starting as the 6-5 favourite, Nala’s Bushman got punters off to a good start by winning the first of 10 races on the Caymanas Saturday (May 8) card.
Nala’s Bushman third career victory from 47 starts was achieved in a three-year-old and upwards Optional Claiming ($250,000 - $200,000) event at nine furlongs and 25 yards.
Trained by Michael Marlowe with Shane Ellis in the saddle, Nala’s Bushman was kept way behind leader Unbreakable as the horses made their way down the backstretch in this two-turn contest.
Unbreakable was overtaken by both Shauna Cruise (Roger Hewitt) on the outside and Bay Commander (Dane Nelson) as the field approached the turn for home. At this stage Nala’s Bushman was still not in the picture.
Bay Commander pulled away from Shauna Cruise at the top of the lane but now Ellis had Nala’s Bushman going on the inside rails and the bay gelding effortlessly soared by Bay Commander to win by 4 ¼ lengths.
Third was Shauna Cruise.
| RACE 1 3YO&UP OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($250,000-$200,000) 1820M/9FUR & 25YARDS 11:30 AM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos. | No. | Horse | Jockey | Odds | Win | Place | q | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 6 | Nala's Bushman | Shane Ellis | 6-5 | $114 | $69.00 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 10 | Bay Commander | Dane Nelson | 3-1 | $80.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 4 | Shauna Cruise | Roger Hewitt | 7-2 | $92.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 12 | Isotope | Samantha Fletcher | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 11 | Cruise Lava Cruise | Javaniel Patterson | 45-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TRAINER: Michael Marlowe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Splits: 27.3 x 54.0 x 1:22.1 x 1:50.3 - Time: 2:06.3 - Margins: 4 1/4 by 4 1/2 - 12 RAN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ex:$498 | T/Fecta:$593 | Hi-5:$7,622 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Qu:$275 | S/Fecta:$1,538 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
