Fillies Nerissa’s Angel (Midnight Hawk – Amicable) and Firecracker (Hedge Fund – Lightning Lily) both had promising starts to their racing careers on Sunday, February 25, 2024, as preparations for the native-bred three-year-old Classic series of races continued.

Nerissa’s Angel, trained by Alford Brown, won Division 1 of a maiden condition race for native-bred three-year-old fillies, while
Firecracker, conditioned by Philip Feanny, was victorious in Division 2. Both races were contested over 5½ furlongs.

Ridden by Oshane Nugent, Nerissa’s Angel quickly assumed pole position ahead of Hit N Run (Reyan Lewis), Kencia (Tevin Foster), and
Design Diva (Paul Francis), when the starter pressed the go button.

Nerissa’s Angel increased her lead navigating the half-mile turn ahead of Hit N Run, bringing the field into the lane for the final two furlongs.

Nerissa’s Angel responded well in deep stretch and went on to win by a length-and-a-half in a time of 1:10.0 (24.0 x 48.3).

Firecracker, with Jawani Forbes in the irons, came from behind runners to win her division by 2¼ lengths.

Firecracker got a good break at the off in third place behind Brownie Brown (Robert Halledeen) and
Shany Star (Dane Dawkins).

Going into the half-mile turn, Forbes held Firecracker back, allowing Racheal Mannin (Odeen Edwards) to go in chase of the leaders.

Firecracker, who hugged the inside rails, cut the turn coming into the lane, and produced a strong run in deep stretch to beat rivals going away.

Himaya (Abigail Able) finished second and Rachael Mannin came home third in a final time of 1:10.2 (23.4 x 47.4).