Champion apprentice Damario Bynoe continued his dominant form as he registered three wins on the Barbados Turf Club’s first day of the second racing season – the Happy Mother’s Day Race Day – at the Garrison Savannah yesterday.
Bynoe, riding with supreme confidence, guided the Blue Diamond Racing-owned Vitality home in the afternoon’s feature event – the A Mother Knows Best Handicap over 1 100 metres.
Trainer Anderson Ward’s duo of Run Alke Run and Vitality engaged each other in a battle for the lead while Slip Stream and Dance The Distance raced in close contention.
Vitality led into the homestretch, at which point Run Alke Run’s effort diminished, leaving Slip Stream, Dance The Distance and Purr Class chasing the leader but in vain.
Slip Stream, under Jason Leacock finished well on the rails to take second, Dance The Distance, partnered by Ricky Walcott ran on to get third while Purr Class, ridden by Antonio Perch, was fourth in this event for three-year-old and older horses rated 67-105.
Bynoe got his name on the winners’ sheet from race three, the Single Moms Handicap for three-year-olds and West Indian four-year-olds and older non-winners of three races. He brought the C.N. Parravicinco filly Mrs B with a well-timed run from way off the pace.
Zouk’s Girl, the daughter out of Barbados Triple Crown winner Zouk by Fleet On Flames, handed in her maiden certificate in fine style by landing the Mommy’s Little Princess Handicap for West Indian-bred three-year-old maiden fillies only over 1 570 metres. She eventually stopped the clock in a respectable 1:37.4.
Jockey Antonio Whitehall and trainer Victor Cheeseman each scored a pair of wins.
Whitehall first took the GodMothers Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 42-65 with the A-Team-owned Boo.
He then doubled up with trainer Cheeseman to close off the day’s proceedings with Ian Corbin’s gelding Kibu in the Mother To Be Handicap for four-year-old and older horses rated 12-35 over 1 100 metres.
Cheeseman, as registered owner and trainer, started the day positively by winning the GrandMother Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 50-70 over 1 570 metres with Vandross under jockey Rickey Walcott.
In recognition of Mother’s Day, BTC’S secretary Rosie Drakes, an employee of the Club since 1971 and who has served under six different presidents, was presented with an award from Inyourvations, the authorized agents for Miche products, by its managing director Robert Corbin.
The season continues on Whit Monday, May 20, when the BTC’S horseman’s liaison/racing division officer Mohommed Mohamad celebrates his 45 birthday by sponsoring the entire day’s card.
