Afternoon stroll for Atomica

ATOMICA had things her way in yesterday’s Viceroy Trophy, dominating Americans ROUGH ENTRY and IS THAT A FACT with her big middle-distance pace for a near 16-length win at a mile.

Partnered by Omar Walker, who replaced Canada-bound Dane Dawkins, the 2022 Jamaica Derby winner brushed aside Mouttet Mile-winner ROUGH ENTRY a furlong after the start, giving IS THAT A FACT his cue to attack the five-year-old mare down the backstretch.

However, unlike the Chairman’s Trophy when she was spooked at the half-mile marker after being sandwiched by ROUGH ENTRY and IS THAT A FACT, ATOMICA was brave on the lead and kicked away from her challenger under a relaxed hold from Walker.

Taken in hand to race third after being overtaken early by ATOMICA, ROUGH ENTRY attempted to launch a rally under visiting rider Reyluis Gutierrez approaching the home turn. For the first time in three meetings, ROUGH ENTRY felt ATOMICA’s pace, travelling as she wanted, unmolested on the bridle, allowing Walker to engage third gear entering the straight.

Taking a peek behind at ROUGH ENTRY struggling off the turn, Walker gave ATOMICA shoulder reminders with the new whip rules in effect. ATOMICA responded by sprinting clear, leaving IS THAT A FACT to rally for second place as ROUGH ENTRY wilted, finishing last in the four-horse field.

Registering her 15th win from 21 starts, ATOMICA clocked 1:39.2 for the trip, a massive run reminiscent of her victory in November’s Jamaica Cup and smashing Ian Levy Cup performance at eight and a half furlongs in January following Dawkins’ fall in December’s Mouttet Mile.

ATOMICA started a three-timer for Gary Subratie, teaming up with Walker and Don Wehby’s Oakridge Farms for the double as PAPER WORK romped the following event for three-year-old maidens at five furlongs straight.

Visiting Pablo Morales used Subratie’s second-time-out American maiden, NOBLE ATTITUDE, to touch off Panamanian Josue Osorio trying to steal home aboard Jason DaCosta’s 46-1 longshot, SHE’S A MIRAGE, at six furlongs in the night pan among local-bred non-winners of two races.

Mouttet Mile runner-up ABILITY made light work of overnight-allowance horses in the Easter Sprint Cup at five and a half furlongs, closing a two-timer for champion rider Reyan Lewis, who earlier opened the 10-race card with a 12-1 chance-ride victory astride Steven Todd’s BIN LADEN.

ABILITY went in chase of ageing speedster GOD OF LOVE three furlongs out and was in front coming off the home turn, outclassing the field by nine and three-quarter lengths at the wire after opening up in the stretch run.

Back-to-back upsetters by Todd, BIN LADEN and 11-1 shot O SO SMART, who wore down 2-5 favourite CRYPTOGIRL after she was hounded by COMEHOMETOME, ensured the Reggae 6 mandatory payout topped off at $2,063,013, a big Easter payday for winning bettors.

Leading rider Tevin Foster also posted back-to-back winners, COLORADO RANGER off-the-claim and SALUD, closing vigorously aboard both, extending his lead to 11 ahead of injured Raddesh Roman.

Racing continues at the weekend with the April ‘special’ of Reggae 6 and Twilight 6 minimum guaranteed payouts set at $3.5m for any single-winning ticket in addition to the $1m jackpot seed on the new Reggae 6.