Neo Star, Mojito shine in King’s Plate divisions
NEO Star and Mojito delivered impressive performances to win their respective divisions of the $1.25-million King’s Plate feature race at Caymanas Park on Sunday.
In the first division of the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m), Neo Star, trained by Anthony Nunes, staged a thrilling come-from-behind victory.
Ridden by apprentice jockey Richie Shakes, Neo Star produced a strong run in deep stretch to win by 2¾ lengths, ahead of Mahogany (Reyan Lewis) and Divine Force (Shane Ellis), stopping the clock in 1:32.4 (23.3 x 46.3 x 1:12.2 x 1:25.4).
Meanwhile Mojito, trained by Richard Azan, dominated the second division.
Ridden by apprentice jockey Tajay Suckoo, Mojito led from start to finish, securing a convincing 4½-length victory in 1:31.2 (24.1 x 47.0 x 1:12.0 x 1:25.0). Unspun (Robert Halledeen) took second, with
Sonny T and Chippy (Dick Cardenas) finishing third.
Champion trainer Jason DaCosta was not to be left out of the celebration as he saddled three winners on the nine-race card. He won with Girvano (Shavon Townsend) in the third race, She’s Myhedgefund (Anthony Allen) in the sixth race, and Summer Palace (Robert Halldeen) in the seventh race.
Racing is to continue on Saturday.