KINGSTON, Jamaica – It took the reigning Horse of the Year Nipster two previous runs this season to find his true nick and when he did, Nipster did so with the class he is known for and with great aplomb when winning the Caymanas Saturday (May 15) tenth.
Nipster’s first entry in the winners’ enclosure this year came in the Saint Cecelia Cup which was an Open Allowance contest for horses three-year-old and upwards travelling 6 1/2 furlongs
When the starter sent them off in the Saint Cecelia, it was Trevor’s Choice (Shane Ellis) and Father Patrick who set the early splits of 23.1 x 46.3. At this stage, Nipster with Robert Halledeen aboard for trainer Anthony Nunes was about in sixth place on the outside just waiting to make his move.
That move manifested itself with three furlongs to go, as Nipster simply floated by rivals to be in a perfect position entering the stretch drive.
Halledeen on Nipster as was to be expected channeled his mount to the inside rails and that was when Nipster accelerated to dismiss Trevor’s Choice who finished second with Crimson running on to get third.
Nipster was winning his eighth race from 21 career starts and was winning for the first time under the care of champion trainer Anthony Nunes.
The final time recorded by Nipster on what has been a slow track was 1:19.2.
| RACE 10 ***SAINT CECELIA*** 3YO&UP OPEN ALLOWANCE 1300M/6-1/2FUR 4:05 PM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos. | Pos. | Horse | Jockey | Odds | Win | Place | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | 10 | Nipster | Robert Halledeen | 2-1 | $164 | $82.00 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | Trevor's Choice | Shane Ellis | 46-1 | $305 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | 2 | Crimson | Tevin Foster | 99-1 | $466 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 4 | Sir Alton | Anthony Thomas | 4-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | 8 | Father Patrick | Reyan Lewis | 8-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TRAINER: Anthony Nunes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Splits: 23.1 x 46.3 x 1:12.2 - Time: 1:19.2 - Margins: 3 by 2 -11 RAN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ex:$10,934 | T/Fecta:$15,338 | Triple:$1,730 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Qu:$7,389 | S/Fecta:$109,933 | Twilight-6:$94,898 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| D/E:$398 | Pick-4:1,658 | Hi-5:c/o$135,793.19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pick-5:$9,732 | PlacePot:$38,676 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pick-9:c/o$1,365,919 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
