Jamaican runners show off speed

JAMAICAN Derby runners Latonia and Uram stole the show on the gallops course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Wednesday and again yesterday morning. The two who showed their staying powers to earn purses in the final three-year-old classic this season came out on Wednesady and showed the sprinting side their ability by posting fast times on both courses. Latonia who was just run out of it in last month’s Blue Riband event by the fast-finishing Mucho Tempo, sparkled in his solo spin over the last 600 metres of the main course in 35.67 seconds. Uram who was sixth home in the 2000 metres event showed a likeness to the turf, exposing his sprinting qualities over a similar distance in 36.20 seconds.

Both times proved best for the distance on the courses. Naturelly Classy who surprised a quality field to win a Restricted Handicap at long odds last month showed his well-being leading up to tomorrow’s Starter Allowance engagement on the turf. The Stephen Jardim inmate noted for bearing out at gallops on the sand course showed no such inclination on the grass, drilling the last 600 metres of the inner circuit in 36.64 seconds. Joan Of Arc seems to be settling down to racing as she grows older. The David Ojar-owned and trained filly caught the eye as she travelled up the backstretch. This four-year-old bay bred under similar lines to Chanticleer, started her good run from the 1000-metre marker and maintained a steady gait to the winning post in 1:06.51 seconds.

Gallops recorded yesterday: 400 METRES: Hatrick - 24.14, good; Splashing Fancy - 24.35, good; Sure Honey - 27.17, easy; Master Blend and Fire Power - 29.79, pacing; Richie Rich - 28.99, pacing; Comanchero - 29.53, pacing; Acid Test - 29.98, pacing; Over And Above - 29.95, pacing; Zalyan - 29.94, pacing; Arts And Lovers - 29.32, pacing; Cash Wager - 29.98, pacing; Attraction - 28.99, pacing.
600 METRES: Jay Low - 38.22, handily; Hyarima - 40.44, handily; Blue Reign - 39.86, handily; Atlantic Breeze - 44.97, pacing; Joint Account - 44.99, pacing; Millenium Reign - 44.99, pacing; Phantom Bidder - 41.59, pacing; Yashoda - 44.92, pacing; Private Ava - 44.49, pacing; Aticka - 44.55, pacing.
800 METRES: Punto A Punto - 53.85, handily; Nowornever - 54.21, handily; Dream Weaver and Ms Independent - 59.93, pacing; Sugar Mike - 59.99, pacing.
1000 METRES: Bandikoot and Private Affair - 1:07.15, handily; Samana Song - 1:14.94, pacing; City Of Lights - 1:10.49, pacing; Cinco De Mayo - and Sounds Good To Me - 1:11.49, pacing; Invincibility - 1:13.87, pacing.
   Wednesday’s gallops: 400 METRES: Pure Delight - 23.60, good; Champagne Wager - 25.76, handily; Duchess Laura Lee - 25.83, handily; Silver Bullet - 27.00, handily (Turf); Romantic Dancing - 27.45, easy; Smooth Operator - 27.17, easy (Turf); Jay Low - 29.92, pacing; Laura Lee In Flight - 29.98, pacing; Comanchero - 29.97, pacing; Ex Isle Be Gone and Kylie Wylie - 29.99, pacing; Really Quiet - 29.92, pacing; Honor Bound - 27.77, pacing; Imasekha - 29.16, pacing; Ex Sporting Green - 29.96, pacing; Takeover - 29.98, pacing (Turf).
600 METRES: Latonia - 35.67, good; Uram - 36.20, good (Turf); Naturelly Classy - 36.64, good (Turf); Francesca and Music Man - 37.66, handily; Run Mani Run - 41.15, handily; Lit D’Amour and Sure Ting - 37.41, handily (Turf); Hundred Percent - 39.70, handily; Golden Grades - 39.06, easy; Isle Be True - 39.28, handily; Cat Woman - 40.58, handily; Creme Caramel - 40.01, handily; Go Geronimo - 44.80, pacing; Atlantic Breeze - 44.93, pacing; El Guerrouj and Carefree - 41.58, pacing; Dead Sure - 43.96, pacing; Aishwarya - 44.97, pacing; The Chairman - 44.97, pacing; Golden Honour - 43.68, pacing (Turf); Mucho Tempo - 44.77, pacing (Turf); Massoud - 44.90, pacing (Turf); Justice - 42.59, pacing.
800 METRES: Super Grey - 50.15, good; Mister Hypocrit - 55.02, handily; Cinco De Mayo - 59.98, pacing (Turf); Magen - 55.75, pacing; Joint Venture - 56.32, pacing; French Academy - 59.98, pacing.
1000 METRES: Java Takeover - 1:09.25, handily; Joan Of Arc - 1:06.51, handily; Hyarima - 1:14.99, pacing; Cotonou - 1:14.90, pacing; Royal Miss - 1:14.70, pacing; Fortunate Flag - 1:14.16, pacing; Yashoda - 1:14.98, pacing.Ross Avenue 1:14.90, pacing; Seaham Harbour and Sounds Good To Me - 1:12.30, pacing.
1200 METRES: Porto Cervo - 1:29.92, pacing; Phantom Bidder - 1:29.98, pacing.