SATURDAY’S $6-million Jamaica Cup unfolded as a testament to resilience, showcasing Atomica’s majestic reversal of fortune as Gary Subratie’s seasoned five-year-old chestnut mare, ridden by Dane Dawkins, silenced sceptics with a gate-to-wire victory.

Atomica’s recent defeats to Funcaandun had sparked doubts about her potential to compete against younger and improving horses. However, she dispelled those concerns with authority, dominating the nine-furlong (1,900m) Graded Stakes contest for three-year-olds and upward.

Atomica, the reigning two-time Horse of the Year, burst forth from the starting gates, seizing the lead and dictating the pace. She led Neo Star (Oneil Mullings); Funcaandun (Robert Halledeen); and Run Julie Run, piloted by Raddesh Roman, around the clubhouse turn and onto the main track.

Down the backstretch, Atomica maintained her gallop well until going into the half-mile (800m) turn when she began to draw away from the field. Entering the final stretch,
Atomica unleashed her explosive acceleration, and although she was shortening inside the final stages of the race she crossed the finishing line three parts of a length ahead of the fast-finishing
Run Julie Run. Funcaandun was third.

Atomica’s triumphant victory, timed at 2:00.1 (24.3 x 48.3 x 1:13.4 x 1:40.3), marked her third-consecutive Jamaica Cup title (2022-2024). This win secured
Atomica’s automatic qualification for the Mouttet Mile next month.

Subratie’s five-year-old American-bred chestnut mare Desert of Malibu also secured her automatic qualification for the Mouttet Mile with her win in the $2.5-million Port Royal Sprint over six furlongs (1,200m).

Ridden by Raddesh Roman, Desert of Malibu shot forward at the start, engaging in a fierce battle withPack Plays for the lead. Jockey Dick Cardenas fought valiantly aboard Pack Plays but fate had other plans. Losing both irons and then the whip in the straight, Cardenas struggled to maintain control.

Seizing the opportunity, Roman expertly guided Desert of Malibu, unleashing her explosive acceleration down the stretch. Pulling away with ease, Desert of Malibu crossed the finishing line four and a quarter lengths ahead, stopping the clock at 1:12.3. Wall Street Trader, ridden by Shane Richardson, secured second place, while Reyan Lewis aboard Is That A Fact claimed third. Pack Plays finished fourth.

The $1.5-million St Elizabeth Distaff, an Open Allowance contest for three-year-old fillies and mares over one mile (1,600m), was won by Power From Above, trained by Anthony Nunes and ridden by Tevin Foster.

Power From Above came from behind runners to win the race by eight lengths ahead of Sistren Treasure (Raddesh Roman) and Bootylicious (Reyan Lewis) in a time of 1:40.3 (24.0 x 46.4 x 1:12.4 x 1:26.4).

The 2024 Thoroughbred Mixed Sales takes place today at noon in the officials’ car park at Caymanas Park.

Racing resumes this Saturday.