Far-striding American-bred colt Blast Them Away heated up a muddied track with a blistering late run that resulted in him posting two-fifths of a second outside the track record going 1,000 metres straight in the $786,500 Open Allowance highlighter at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Installed the 2-5 favourite and ridden by jockey Dane Nelson for trainer Wayne DaCosta, Blast Them Away played second fiddle to the 9-2 chance Lashing Force ridden by Prince Holder before opening up in the final 200 metres to clock a nifty 56.3 seconds, just outside the track record of 56.1 held jointly by Musical Maestro established in 2006, and Ministerofjustice two years later.

Lashing Force left the gate as a jet on fire, and using the firmer ground on the outside, went as far as six lengths clear at one point. Blast Them Away, who was shooting from barrier #3, seemed to be struggling with the big weight in less firm underfoot conditions, but leaving the dummy rails Nelson switched to firmer ground and began to come forward readily as though he had just caught the pace of the race. Now on firmer footing inside the final 100 metres, Nelson began to roll over the American colt who responded with a decent turn of foot to come away for his third victory of the season from four starts.

Palace Gold, a five-year-old chestnut mare ridden by Paul Francis, came calling when it was all over to be closest to the winner at odds of 5-2. Lashing Force still had enough left to be third, another 2 1/4 lengths back. Smokin Man, ridden by Devon A Thomas completed the frame of six as a 28-1 bet after Rio Cobre, who was up with the place in the early speed duel with Lashing Force, faded out of contention under Leo Miller.

Owned by Robert K Thomas, Blast Them Away, a four-year-old bay colt by Proud Accolade out of Evita Villa (Forrest Wild Cat) bred by Woodsfield Farm in the USA was winning for the 10th time from 13 career starts and earned $429,400 as the winner’s share for a bankroll of $5,085,000 lifetime.

Meanwhile DaCosta was the leading trainer with two wins on the 10-race card, while Nelson, who rode both winners for DaCosta – Perfect Neighbour in the third and Blast Them Away in the penultimate ninth race, was the leading rider with a three-timer. His other winner was aboard the even money favourite Lovetta Jones for trainer Lorne Kirlew in the seventh.

Leading rider Omar Walker posted a win on the card after piloting the 2-5 favourite Potcheen to victory in the second race for trainer Ian Parsard that moved his tally to 39.