Unspun bags big payday in Mr Sensational

UNITED STATES-BRED UNSPUN ran on from fifth position entering the straight to overhaul 8-1 outsider BURNING HEDGE in yesterday’s Mr Sensational for two-year-old winners at seven furlongs, bagging the $2 million BGLC-TOBA Millionaires Series bonus.

UNSPUN, who had forced a $1 million carryover to the Mr Sensational when streaking home as an ineligible winner by almost nine lengths on November 2, nailed a bigger payday for owner Collin Elcock, who made sure his far-striding son of Spun To Run was the first runner supplemented for the Mr Sensational through the $150,000 bonus-eligibility route.

One of four runners in the six-horse field, who did not come under the hammer at last year’s TOBA Mixed Sale but made eligible for the $2 million bonus, UNSPUN survived a scary stewards’ inquiry after bearing down on another supplemented entry, Richard Azan’s DANKA, while both were about to challenge leader BURNING HEDGE in the stretch run.

BURNING HEDGE had inherited the lead from debutant and 3-5 favourite, UNRULY MO, who led into the lane but under pressure from LOVISA and DANKA’s stablemate, HAZELNUT.

Lurking fourth along the rail, BURNING HEDGE slipped past the leaders but soon became the target of UNSPUN and DANKA, who had improved rapidly after being tailed off down the backstretch. Switched from behind BURNING HEDGE, DANKA and UNSPUN made contact in a bumping match a furlong out, forcing Azan’s runner back to the rail.

UNSPUN charged forward under Christopher Mamdeen to collar local-bred BURNING HEDGE, winning by two and a half lengths in 1:27.0, his second consecutive victory in four starts.

Series 2 of the BGLC-TOBA Millionaires Series, an open two-year-old division, continues Saturday, December 28, the Dye Job Sprint at six furlongs with a bonus of $1 million at stake.

Meanwhile, Series 1 for native two-year-old maidens concludes Sunday, December 15, the Miss Ruth at six and a half furlongs, carrying a $2 million bonus forced by HAZELNUT’s victory as a bonus-ineligible winner on Saturday, November 9.

Series 3 of the of the BGLC-TOBA Millionaires Series, the most lucrative incentive events for owners, concludes Saturday, December 21 with three-year-old maidens locking horns at seven furlongs for a $1 million bonus.

Leading rider Raddesh Roman booted home a two-timer including 4-1 chance TIFFANY BLU in the Jamaica Jockeys’ Agents Trophy event at six furlongs, moving four winners clear of Tevin Foster, who failed to visit the winners’ enclosure.

Racing continues Saturday with the US$250,000 Mouttet Mile as the jewel in the crown of a bumper racemeet, featuring six runners imported from the United States for the richest horse race in the Caribbean.