Racing News – Saturday, May 6, 2023
WAYNE’S PRINCESS OFF THE MARK
Wayne’s Princess, after eight starts, was able to get her head in front at the wire in Division 1 of a Maiden Special Weight contest for native-bred three-year-old fillies travelling 6 furlongs (1,200m).
With Reyan Lewis in the saddle for trainer Jason DaCosta, Wayne’s Princess watched the leaders after settling in fourth place behind Bella Soul (Omar Walker), May Sellington (Oneil Mullings), and Sugar Sugar (Dane Dawkins) going into the half-mile (800m) turn.
Wayne’s Princess joined Bella Soul on the front end entering the lane before surging to lead in deep stretch. With the momentum going her way Wayne’s Princess went on to win by two lengths in a time of 1:16.3.
Bella Soul did well to finish in second place, some four lengths ahead of Digital Light (Youville Pinnock). The splits were 23.2 x 48.1.
SENSATIONAL ENDING FINALLY COMES GOOD
After a string of disappointing efforts Sensational Ending got the job done in a native-bred five-year-old and upwards (non-winners of three) and imported five-year-olds and upwards (non-winners of two) at 7 furlongs (1,400m).
It wasn’t the best start for Sensational Ending as the Jason DaCosta trainee raced in fifth position down the backstretch, watching as Slamsilano (Roger Hewitt) blazed the trail ahead of Gone A Negril (Javaniel Patterson) and Traditional Boy (Richard Henry).
Sensational Ending (Reyan Lewis) continued to bide her time until navigating the half-mile turn, when she rounded horses and went down in second place in pursuit of Slamsilano approaching the distance. Sensational Ending hit the front with a furlong and a half (300m) left in the contest and went about her business in a 10-length romp.
Maya (Anthony Thomas) came from far behind to get second place, ahead of Slamsilano in third. The final time for the race was clocked at 1:30.4.
EASY DOES IT FOR DADDY JONES
Trained by Alford Brown and ridden by Linton Steadman, Daddy Jones easily obliged as the favourite in a three-year-old and upwards Claiming ($1m-$800,000) spread going 7½ furlongs (1,500m).
After a couple of strides taken, Daddy Jones shot to the front of the field and held that advantage ahead of Uncle Frank (Phillip Parchment), Iannai Links (Tevin Foster), and Sir John (Reyan Lewis) down the backstretch.
Daddy Jones maintained his momentum until reaching the half-mile turn, when he upped the tempo and increased the lead ahead of rivals entering the straight. With a couple of cracks from the whip by Steadman, Daddy Jones responded well and drew clear to win, going away by 19 lengths.
Sir John finished in second place, and Rum With Me (Ramon Nepare) third. The final time for the race was 1:33.1 (24.1 x 47.2 x 1:12.2).
THREE HORSES CLAIMED
Ryan Darby claimed the winner of the third race, Daddy Jones, for owner Paul Taffe for $1 million from Alford Brown.
In the fifth race Steven Todd claimed Sir Frederick for owner Ivan Rowe for $180,000 from Michael Thomas, and Ryan Williams claimed Contractor for Wayne Henry for $180,000 from Byron Davis.