Luksol brushes aside rivals in BetMakers Holiday Bonanza Trophy
Three-year-old American-bred bay filly Luksol easily brushed aside rivals to win the $1.09-million BetMakers Holiday Bonanza Trophy #2 feature race over six furlongs (1,200m) at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
Trained by Jason DaCosta and ridden by Robert Halledeen, Luksol (Tapiture–Stunning Taste) picked up the lead passing the five-furlongs (1,000m) and never gave up her gallop, winning the three-year-old and upward Restricted Stakes contest by 3 ½ lengths.
Luksol was always prominent at the start of the race as she raced in second place behind Talona (Anthony Thomas) but quickly surged to the front after the first furlongs (2,00m) of the race. Approaching the distance, Luksol was crowded out by Talona, Slammer (Dane Dawkins), Lacrimae (Paul Francis), and Freedom Street (Aaron Chatire).
However, once Luksol entered the straight, the race was all over and Halledeen drove his mount to an impressive win in the end. Talona was second and Slammer third with the final time recorded at 1:13.2.
Meanwhile, champion jockey Anthony Thomas booted home three winners to close the gap on leader Dane Dawkins in the title race.
Thomas won aboard Military Shot for trainer Steven Todd in the first race, Principal Tiffany for trainer Patrick Smellie in the fifth race, and Omron for trainer Joseph Thomas in the seventh race.
With those victories, Thomas took his tally to 95 winners, two wins behind Dawkins, who leads with 97. Dawkins had one winner in Bern Notice for trainer Gary Subratie in the fourth race.
Racing continues on Monday.
— Ruddy Allen