EMERGENCE took advantage of the late scratch of Candace to march to her ninth career win in the $492,000 Millard Ziadie Cup claiming feature at Caymanas Park yesterday.

However, it was the powerfully-built debutante, Commander One, an imported three-year-old chestnut colt by Put It Back out of the Saint Ballado mare, Sweetemilycross bred by Harold J Plumley in the USA, who stimulated the nine-race card with a quicksilver run over 1,100 metres in a smart 1:04.4.

Had it not been that the far-striding colt was allowed to coast home in the final 15 metres or so to the wire the record of 1:03.1 established by another American-bred four-year-old, filly Michelle Magic, could have been in serious danger.

Champion jockey Dane Nelson, who continues to lead the jockeys’ standing with five wins, had the call.

Trained by Wayne DaCosta for owners Edward Steinman & Von G White, Commander One, sent off as the morning line favourite at 1-4, won by all of 16 lengths ahead of another American-bred, the 5-1 shot Turbulent Velosity, ridden by Trevor Simpson.

Commander One was one of two winners saddled by DaCosta on the card. Nelson, who was also aboard Tantaloo for DaCosta in the previous second race to close the double for DaCosta, rode a three-timer after booting home Awesome Marque for trainer Ryan Darby in the Track Price Plus “Dig Out Handicap” closing ninth race call.

Emergence, ridden by Omar Walker for trainer Victor Williams and justly installed the 1-4 favourite in the claiming group $350,000 – $300,000, took control of the race after entering the final 400m. Setting down for the drive, the chestnut mare then accelerated away from the field to register a comfortable six-length win. The time for 1,100m was 1:08.2 built on early fractions of 24.1 and 48 seconds flat for 800m.

Owned by O’Shaun Connection, Emergence managed to score a single out five starts since being claimed away from the trainer/owner combination of Victor Williams and O’Shaun Connection on September 15 last year. But at the first time of asking on returning, showed her appreciation of the change by returning to the winner’s enclosure forthwith.

Soca Party, ridden by Dick Cardenas, was second at odds of 7-2, with the 51-1 chance Step At It finishing third and Who Do U Expect completing the frame under Paul Francis as an 8-1 chance in the field of 10, with the late withdrawal of Candace.

A six-year-old mare by Region Of Merit out of Strategic Partners (Bold Demon), Emergence registered her ninth career with from 43 career starts and earned $268,650 as the winner’s share for earnings of $3,896,200 lifetime.