Excessive Force too strong for Big Jule

UNITED States-bred EXCESSIVE FORCE outran hot 3-5 favourite, BIG JULE, at nine and a half furlongs in yesterday’s Facilities Department Trophy, pointing three furlongs out and staying on strongly in the stretch run.

BIG JULE’s backers were left soured by trainer Ian Parsard permitting the four-year-old colt to run without his customary tongue tie, a declared equipment, which had become loose at the gate – a controversial practice allowed by the Jamaica Racing Commission.

Parsard also had other options, including withdrawing the favourite, heading to the gate to refit the tongue tie or permitting the vet on duty at the start to do so.

Quickly tackled by EXCESSIVE FORCE three furlongs out after taking over from MONEY MONSTER, BIG JULE had no answer when set down on the inner at the top of the lane, surrendering to the American a furlong out.

EXCESSIVE FORCE covered the distance in 2:01.4 at odds of 5-2, handing Linton Steadman the first of two winners on the 10-race card.

Steadman brought down the curtains aboard 8-5 favourite MINE THAT CAT, who made all at seven and a half furlongs, beating FAUKLAND by a wide margin.

TAKEOVER

Paul Francis also rode two winners, taking over the third race from three furlongs out with 8-1 chance, NUCLEAR EMMA.

Francis returned in the ninth to boot home SWEET MAJESTY at five and a half furlongs, the four-year-old filly sporting a visor, which prompted her to catch up with faster rivals midway the stretch run.

Leading rider Dane Dawkins won the seventh event for maiden three-year-olds aboard Parsard’s debutante, 5-1 shot THE CITADEL, a rangy filly who swept down on rivals off the turn before putting away howling 3-5 favourite SUNSET SILHOUTTTE at six and a half furlongs.

Dawkins moved his tally to 16 wins, still five clear of Robert Halledeen who enjoyed an armchair ride aboard speedy low-level claimer, CHIEF OF STATE, in the opening event at four furlongs straight.

Racing continues this afternoon with a nine-race card.