Pretty Cash boosts Subratie’s championship push
Published:Sunday | August 22, 2021 | 12:06 AMAinsley Walters - Gleaner Writer
GARY Subratie’s PRETTY CASH lasted home by a head from Anthony Nunes’ fast- finishing KING’S MAGICIAN in yesterday’s ninth event, extending his stakes lead in the trainers’ championship, which hung by a $2,025 thread at the start of the afternoon.
Subratie, who faces an uphill task to win his first title, lacking the numbers of two-time defending champion Nunes’ high-powered barn, has been battling to keep his head in front after CALCULUS, ironically acquired privately from his rival’s stable, won the rich Jamaica Derby on August 7.
United States-bred PRETTY CASH won at odds of 8-1 with Dane Dawkins at five furlongs straight, taking over from another American, TRUE BRAVADO, as both benefited from the course bias, drawn at stalls 13 and 10, respectively, on a track made wet by mid-afternoon rain.
KING’S MAGICIAN, who was a storming second at the distance on June 28, losing in a fast 58.2, produced another late run at odds of 9-1 with Linton Steadman, seemingly collaring PRETTY CASH close home, but the American won the nod at the wire, clocking 59.1.
Dawkins had earlier booted home runaway winner, TAKE TWO, at even-money, in the sixth race at six furlongs, to share riding honours with Javaniel Patterson and Ruja Lahoe.
Patterson easily landed the fifth astride NINA DORADO and closed the 10-race card with United States-bred BEST DAUGHTER EVER, who returned from an 11-month lay-up to dominate the nine-furlong and 25-yard event.
Lahoe opened the programme with 20-1 stunner, WINX CHOICE, at seven and a half furlongs and returned aboard 3-1 chance AWESOME GLITTER in the seventh to outbattle MAMASHARONDARLING by a short head at five and a half furlongs.
Racing continues with tomorrow’s meet rescheduled for Wednesday due to three days of nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, starting today.