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Princess Ava too good for Sentient

Published:Monday | July 13, 2020 | 12:26 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
PRINCESS AVA
PRINCESS AVA

PRINCESS AVA again outclassed old rival SENTIENT at a mile, running past a furlong out for back-to-back victories against the colt, clocking 1:38.3 to seal a hat-trick of wins yesterday.

Completing a three-timer for leading rider Dane Nelson, even-money favourite PRINCESS AVA bided her time, mid-pack the 11-horse overnight allowance field, before swooping down third off the home turn behind 5-2 chance SENTIENT and 27-1 longshot JAMAI RAJA.

Ridden out by Nelson, PRINCESS AVA quickened to collar SENTIENT a furlong out and stayed on strongly to power home by a length and three-quarter, handing champion trainer Anthony Nunes a second winner on the nine-race card.

Nelson and Nunes had teamed up earlier to narrowly win the second event at five furlongs round with another even-money favourite, speedy K J EXPRESS, hanging on by a neck from fast-finishing MR UNIVERSE, who had stumbled shortly after the start, losing several lengths with apprentice Romario Spencer.

Though United States-bred RACE CAR was slowly into stride with Nelson in the seventh event at six and a half furlongs, the three-time champion jockey enjoyed an armchair ride aboard the 1-9 far-striding grey to easily put away EAGLE ONE by four lengths with a mid-stretch charge, winning in 1:19.1.

Nelson’s three-timer moved him to 25 wins, six clear of Anthony Thomas in the riders’ standings.

Nunes continues to dominate the trainers’ standings, enjoying a significant stakes lead over 18-time champion, Wayne DaCosta, who he dethroned last year to claim his first title.

Racing continues at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

ainsley.walters@gleanerjm.com