Nunes grabs spotlight at Caymanas Park
WHILE Reyan Lewis got special attention for booting home four winners, it was champion trainer Anthony “Baba” Nunes who grabbed the spotlight on the 10-race programme at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
With the trainer’s championship being the most watched battle of late, Nunes, who is the three-time defending top conditioner, saddled his second-consecutive three-timer to cut into his main rival Jason Dacosta’s lead in the standings. Dacosta had one winner in It’s All I (Anthony Thomas) in the fifth race.
Nunes won the second race — a native-bred twoyear-old maiden special weight event — with first-time starter Royal Ash, ridden by Lewis. Royal Ash defeated stablemate Volatility (Dick Cardenas) by a length and a half going four furlongs.
Nunes and Lewis teamed up with Morimoto who was an easy winner of the General Manager’s Trophy over one mile (1,600m). Morimoto won by three lengths, ahead of D Head Cornerstone and Power Ranking.
The triple came in the ninth race when jockey Dick Cardenas won aboard Rubyistheone for Nunes over
Dejae’s Boy the straight course (1,000m).
Lewis’s other two winners were aboard Rusty in the opening event for trainer Patrick Lynch and Party Princess in the fourth race for trainer Ian Parsard.
“It is my first four-timer and I am really happy. I have been working hard, and I guess that the hard work has paid off. Thanks to the connections for the rides and everyone who has been supporting me,” he said.
The feature race, the $1.14-million Administration Department Trophy over six furlongs (1,200m), was won in fine style by Dejae’s Boy, trained by O’neil Markland and ridden by Nicholas Hibbert.
Dejae’s Boy came on strong in deep stretch, getting up in time to beat The Good Witch (Lewis) and Super Duper (Anthony Thomas) on the line by a short head. Dejae’s Boy completed the distance of the NonRestricted Overnight Allowance race in 1:13.0.
Meanwhile, Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has sent out a press release regarding a change with the race day.
The release stated: “To our valued patrons, please be advised that Caymanas Park has adjusted its live racing schedule as a result of the Government’s recent designation of Monday, September 19 as a day of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Jamaica Racing Commission has mandated that the live race card previously scheduled for Monday, September 19 be changed to Tuesday, September 20.”