Sat | Sep 23, 2023

Bootylicious handles Thornbird Stakes business

Published:Sunday | April 9, 2023 | 2:10 AMAinsley Walters - Gleaner Writer
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer BOOTYLICIOUS, ridden by Reyan Lewis, wins the The Thornbird Stakes over seven furlongs, a three-year-old Graded Stakes for fillies, at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer BOOTYLICIOUS, ridden by Reyan Lewis, wins the The Thornbird Stakes over seven furlongs, a three-year-old Graded Stakes for fillies, at Caymanas Park yesterday.

BOOTYLICIOUS rode MAMMA MIA’s girth strap into the lane and attacked off the turn in a five-furlong split of 58.2 with Reyan Lewis to power home by three lengths in yesterday’s Thornbird Stakes.

MAMMA MIA, who tried stealing the seven-furlong fillies’ Guineas prep on the lead, was denied second at the wire by stablemate THALITA, wilting under pressure as BOOTYLICIOUS pulled off to win in 1:26.1.

Unbeaten in three starts, BOOTYLICIOUS (Key To Power-Keep The Faith) handed trainer Ian Parsard a birthday gift, keeping him on track for a second fillies’ Guineas win in three years following SHE’S A WONDER’s dominance in 2021.

BOOTYLICIOUS won at even-money, a king’s ransom, considering her sparkling exercise gallops, especially a seven-furlong spin in which she finished ahead of stablemate MAHOGANY, the country’s most feared runner.

The first of three back-to-back holiday meets patronised by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, whose feature race ended in a terrific three-way photo won by STOMP THE RHYTHM at nine furlongs and 25 yards, the 10-race card was closed in impressive fashion by United States-bred I AM FRED, upstaging 4-5 favourite RUNAWAY ALGO in the Saint Cecelia Cup.

Attacking YELLOWSTONE as a team with RUNAWAY ALGO on his outside entering the lane, I AM FRED responded to Robert Halledeen’s strong urgings to race clear of his fellow American inside the final half-furlong, winning the six-and-half furlong event at odds of 7-1.

Anthony Thomas, who produced STOMP THE RHYTHM with a strong rail rally after being headed off by SUNSET SILHOUTTE and REAL BOSS entering the straight, notched three winners on the programme.

Thomas first booted home DOCTOR GREY from off the pace to land the fourth for $250,000 claimers. The three-time champion jockey afterwards roused United States-bred DIVINE FORCE past LORD BURKINGTON at five furlongs straight in the seventh, before closing his three-timer in the eighth astride STOMP THE RHYTHM.

The TOBA three-day Easter Carnival continues this afternoon, a nine-race card with the Prince Consort Stakes for colts and geldings as the 2000 Guineas Prep at seven furlongs.