Nunes, DaCosta continue exciting battle
MR UNIVERSE’S job was made easier when Anthony Nunes’ filly, EXHILARATE, uncharacteristically missed the break, enabling champion trainer Wayne DaCosta to close the exacta with LADY BLUE in yesterday’s open-allowance sprint at five and a half furlongs.
DaCosta’s exacta deducted $837,200 from his $5.5 million title chase but Nunes clapped right back at him in the next race, YETAGAIN picking up $491,400, at odds of 3-5, taking over from FATHER KEN and lasting home by three-quarter length ahead of 2-1 chance FRESH CASH.
MR UNIVERSE disputed the lead with LADY BLUE, while EXHILARATE, trying to recover from a bad break, rushed down into a pocket and got boxed in behind runners.
With no threat present, MY SISTER being hindered by ZEPHYR at the half-mile marker, MR UNIVERSE was kicked on by apprentice Raddesh Roman off the turn, leaving LADY BLUE to comfortably complete the exacta.
YETAGAIN reproduced his exercise form, after putting away Triple Crown winner, SUPREME
SOUL, at exercise, before last week’s Diamond Mile, returning unbeatable at six and a half furlongs with Dane Nelson.
FRESH CASH closed to get within three-quarter length of YETAGAIN but not quick enough to tag Nunes’ runner, who put his stakes lead at $5.2 million ahead of DaCosta with 10 days remaining to close the season.
Trainer Spencer Chung saddled two winners, first-timer TRULY AMAZING in the second event, at five furlongs straight, and EXTRUDER in the sixth at six and a half furlongs.
Outgoing champion jockey, Anthony Thomas, was aboard two winners, BIG BLACK NATION and COURT CALL, in the fifth and ninth races, respectively.
Racing continues at Caymanas Park next Saturday.