D’Nugget claims ‘Morty’ Heron Memorial
DOWN in grade D’Nugget showed her appreciation of being let loose against lesser lights and promptly romped the $462,000 Mortimer ‘Morty’ Heron Memorial claiming feature by 15 lengths at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Ridden by the leading apprentice Shameree Muir, for trainer Denrick Chambers, D’Nugget running like a mismatch horse against $250,000-$210,000 claimers destroyed his rival with a smart turn-of-foot after shooting to the front leaving the 1,000 metres pole.
Installed the 4-5 favourite, D’Nugget turned for home with a sizable lead, but the young claiming apprentice was not contented with that and asked the American-bred mare to run. That she did, but just failed by half-of-a-length less than when she lost to Vonalmighty in her last race in the grade above.
She nonetheless completed 1,820 metres in a time of 2:01.2 to register her second career win in almost two years.
Naturalfantasy, who tracked D’Nugget entering the final 1,000 metres, ridden by Trevor Simpson, finished best of the rest second as a 7-2 betting option.
Spic N Span, a 10-1 chance ridden by Richard Mitchell, came on to finish third with the 6-1 bet King Solomon completing the frame under Renardo McNaughton in the field of 11. Twelve starters were declared, but Notus was a late non-starter.
Owned by Morris M Myrie, D’Nugget, a five-year-old dark, bay/brown mare by Congrats out of Top Of The Noggin (Chief Crown) and bred by Wendy Christ, Kathie Haines & John Elder in the USA, earned $252,250 as the winner’s share for earnings of $1,169,200 lifetime.
Wayne DaCosta was the top-performing trainer on the nine-race card with two winners, while apprentices Prince Holder and Kuri Powell booted home two winners each to share the riding limelight.
DaCosta saddled Sir Von in the third race with Dane Nelson up and I am Thankful, ridden by Holder in the fourth. Holder’s other winner was Sabina in the ninth and final for owner/trainer Marlon C Anderson.
Powell had the leg up on Soca Party in the opening race for trainer Dennis Lee and She’s So Special for trainer Gary Griffiths in the second.
