UNDER CLOUDY SKIES and on a soft race track, three-year-old bay colt Migun Temple handed in his maiden certificate with a superb three-and-three-quarter lengths victory in the feature race, The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Trophy, over 7.8 furlongs at the Garrison Savannah yesterday.
Confidently ridden by Anderson Trotman, the Andrew Nunes-trained horse was last going around the top turn, but made a dramatic finish to earn the top prize.
The field was led – through early fractions of 24 and 4/5 for the quarter mile, 50 and 2/5 for the half-mile and 1.17 and 1/5 – by Run Alke Run who enjoyed a two-length lead while being pursued by Quick City and Reward Me.
These positions remained unchanged going down the backstretch.
But as they approached the two-furlong marker, Run Alke Run began to weaken, while Reward Me and Mingun Temple made rapid progress towards the leader. Locally bred Up The Ante could also be seen making a run from down the field.Â
On entering the homestretch, Reward Me brought the field into the straight with Quick City and Mingun Temple on the outside playing catch-up.
Another gear
But the impressive colt had another gear and stormed away from his opponents for the illusive victory to stop the clock at 1:40 4/5, while Up The Ante (Reshawn Latchman) came from a long ways back to snatch second ahead of Reward Me (Kenny John) and Quick City (Antonio Bishop) held on for the fourth-place position.
Winning trainer Andrew Nunes said Migun Temple had been working excellently and was improving with each workout.
Jockey Trotman said he got a bit of bumping early on, and decided to allow the colt to settle. He said he gradually picked his spot and by the time they reached the two-furlong marker he knew the race was all over.
Francis Vanlangendonck, vice-president of The Ocala Breeders Sales Company, witnessed the day’s races with Luther Miller III. vice-president of the Barbados Turf Club.
Preach To Me gave jockey Trotman his third winner on the card with a powerful win in The Lost In The Fog Trophy ahead of Who’s To Say (Jolan Samuel), while the favourite Sharp Impact (Antonio Bishop) was third and Peaceful Envoy was fourth.
Apprentice jockey Jonathan Grant recorded a double with Kimanshia and Wash Brook in The Saratoga County Trophy and the Silver Charm Trophy respectively, both at 7.8 furlongs, while trainer Liz Deane earned wins with Golden Moment and Preach To Me for owner Sir David Seale.
Trainer Nunes’ second winner was Local Speed, who won The Ginger Punch Trophy, the opening event on the day’s card.
