Lure of Lucy lands Caymanas feature

OMAR Walker yesterday rode a copybook leader’s race astride United States-bred five-year-old, LURE OF LUCY, going all the way at nine furlongs and 25 yards in the Fan Appreciation Day Trophy.

Breaking from stall three in the nine-horse field of non-restricted overnight allowance runners, Walker semi-claimed the rail from the clubhouse turn, inviting new champion jockey Dane Dawkins aboard BIG BIG DADDY to fill a non-existent spot.

Dawkins fell for the bait and had to take BIG BIG DADDY in hand twice before entering the backstretch while Walker settled LURE OF LUCY on the lead, still racing just off the rail.

Dawkins got the memo five furlongs out and switched BIG BIG DADDY off the rail, giving Walker the cue to increase the pace, giving his mount an unmolested lead going into the far turn.

POSITIVE ID made his bid three furlongs out, trying to reel in LURE OF LUCY, but was left flat-footed when Walker asked the foreign-bred to kick coming off the home turn.

LURE OF LUCY clocked 1:56.0 for her three and three-quarter length win over POSITIVE ID. Her stablemate, 13-year-old HOVER CRAFT, closed inside the last half-furlong to overhaul BIG BIG DADDY for third.

Anthony Nunes, dethroned by Jason DaCosta as champion trainer last season, combined with Tevin Foster for a two-timer, starting with VOLATILITY, who made all in the third for three-year-old maidens.

The jockey-trainer combination closed the nine-race card with G T BOY, who ran down SHADOWFAX in the stretch run to land the New Year’s Day Trophy at six and a half furlongs.

Racing continues on Saturday.