Speedy Bootylicious burns rivals in Ahwhofah Sprint

BOOTYLICIOUS flew home a lonely winner in yesterday’s Ahwhofah Sprint, justifying trainer Peter Parsard’s $3 million reason to take the four-year-old filly back home from the November 10 Mixed Sale.

Earning $682,500, BOOTYLICIOUS, last year’s Thornbird Stakes winner, made all at six furlongs with Reyan Lewis for her third win among overnight-allowance company, proving she’s way better than the level.

After throwing stayers a helluva scare in the November 9 St Elizabeth Distaff at a mile, BOOTYLICIOUS turned up in the sales ring the following morning but went abegging after Parsard pushed the bidding to $3 million.

A post-sale advance of $3.5 million was reportedly turned down by Parsard, convinced that the Key To Power-Keep The Faith filly’s earning potential and broodmare prospect was worth more than the offer.

Round one certainly went to Parsard as BOOTYLICIOUS, for the third time this season, dismissed overnight-allowance runners with her blinding speed.

DIGITAL ONE, JORDON REIGN’S and DIVINE FORCE, missing the break as a choir, killed, in one swoop, any chance of a closer catching BOOTYLICIOUS.

Briefly pestered by COMMANDER Z and JOY IS GOLDEN, BOOTYLICIOUS quickly took charge leaving the half-mile marker, coasting unmolested into the straight.

United Stated-bred DIGITAL ONE recovered from her stuttering start to close for second, four and a quarter lengths behind BOOTYLICIOUS’ cracking 1:12.4, closing splits of 23.3, 47.3 and 59.3.

Sitting pretty, awaiting 4-5 favourite BOOTYLICIOUS’ stroll, two surviving Pick 9 tickets each won $3.6 million on mandatory-payout day.

Title-chasing Tevin Foster and Dane Dawkins rode two winners apiece on the nine-race card.

Foster, who started the day three wins behind leader Raddesh Roman, moved to 122 with wins astride MUDSHAFT in the second and RADAM in the seventh, one adrift his rival, who went winless.

Dawkins, champion jockey 2022, on winter break from Assiniboia Downs in Canada, continues to shine in the saddle, tracking TRUST FUND BABY before landing the fourth with SHE’S THAT GIRL.

Aboard SIPPIN ON SUNSHINE in the Miracle Cure Sprint, Dawkins was forced to steady the filly down the backstretch.

After overcoming early trouble, Dawkins was at his best in the stretch run, rallying to switch ground after Roman tried using favourite ADIRA to drift SIPPIN ON SUNSHINE inside the last furlong.

Racing continues today with another nine-event card to close Summit of Speed Weekend.