El Afortunado too good for rivals

EL AFORTUNADO collared BIG GUY IN THESKY a furlong out to win yesterday’s Sir Howard Stakes going away from the long-time leader, stopping the clock in 1:14.4 for six furlongs.

Though winning by three and a half lengths, EL AFORTUNADO was only a fifth quicker than DUROCELL, who won Saturday’s Hot Line Stakes for fillies, leaving Richard Azan’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes winner, MOJITO, as the winter-book favourite for the major classics after the season’s first prep races.

The already small field of six was further reduced by RIDGE LINER, who broke the gate before the start and bolted.

With quickie RIDGE LINER scratched, BIG GUY INTHE SKY, fitted with a visor for speed, tried stealing a march on EL AFORTUNADO, but his three-length lead off the home turn was whittled down to half-length a furlong out.

Ridden out by Anthony Thomas, EL AFORTUNADO pulled clear in a workmanlike victory for his second consecutive win in three starts, his first for Anthony Nunes after changing barns ahead of the Sir Howard.

Nunes saddled two winners on the nine-race card, earlier landing WOW HOW in the fifth for three-year-old maiden fillies at six and a half furlongs.

WOW HOW closed strongly to win in 1:23.3 under Tevin Foster, overhauling KISSMET and LION CHARMER, who battled on the lead from the off.

Foster, who opened the programme astride 4-1 shot DUKE OF SPRINGS for Tensang Chung, inched one ahead of Reyan Lewis in the riders’ standings, moving to 18 winners with his two-timer.

Racing continues at the weekend with Saturday-Sunday meets.