Jonathan Simpson was the star at the Garrison Savannah yesterday.
The veteran trainer was responsible for three winners on the W. C. “Bill” Marshall Memorial Race Day.
Simpson, whose horses have endured a lean run of form in recent times, was all smiles yesterday, as his filly In The Pink, owned by Bill and Haley Blevins, stormed home to win the feature race, the Bill Marshall Memorial Classic.
In The Pink, who in the process handed in her maiden certificate, was given a patient yet brilliant ride by jockey Reshawn Latchman.
Latchman, one of three jockeys to record doubles on the day, settled the daughter of Kit Fisto out of Fascination behind the leaders Conway and John Vere leaving the starting stalls.
In The Pink was closely followed by Super Lady, Princess Di, Aquatic Star, Dancing Lady and Corvette in the early going. As they went down the back stretch, the top positions remained unchanged until John Vere dropped away, leaving Conway with the lead momentarily.
At the two-furlong marker, Princess Di made her move with Corvette in hot pursuit. In The Pink was the first to turn into the home stretch with Conway to her right while Corvette and Princess Di were flanked on her left.
Up until about 50 metres from the wire, it looked anyone’s race. The first to weaken was Princess Di under rider Jalon Samuel who eventually finished fourth.
In The Pink, with the jockey extremely busy, was able to hold on for the win, while Corvette, ridden by Anderson Trotman, finished fast to get up for the second spot. Conway, with Shane Collymore in the saddle, ran a courageous race, eventually holding on for third.
The combination of trainer Simpson and jockey Latchman next struck with Bill Hayley and the Comics-owned Rock Forever. The pair took the Don Juan Handicap for three-year-old and older horses over 1 100 metres.
Simpson had earlier won Division A of the Thady Quill Handicap for three-year-olds over 1 100 with Peter O’Neil and Mark Cothran-owned Pryroman partnered by apprentice Damario Bynoe.
Jalon Samuel was the next jockey who scored a double. He produced a gem of a ride aboard Martin and Daniel Raizman-owned Discretwon to take the Coo Bird Handicap for three-year-old horses rated 120 -140 and also open to horses rated 119 and below, over 1 800 metres.
Samuel had to weave his way through traffic after the early pace was set by Lune De Barachois, Jakesam, Erados, Indanger and Kendal Moon.
Deep into the stretch drive just when it appeared like Jakesam was about to cause a massive upset, Discretwon and Samuel appeared on the outside revs up, making it two wins on the trot.
Samuel had earlier partnered with Blue Diamond Racing astride Vitality for trainer Anderson Ward as the trio took the Blast Of Storm Handicap for three-year-old horses rated over 1 100 metres.
Blue Diamond Racing next won via Furious, who provided jockey Bynoe with his second win, having landed the Tinker’s Image Handicap Division-B over 1 570 metres.
