Atomica no match for Blue Vinyl
Published:Sunday | July 3, 2022 | 12:15 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer
BLUE VINYL outmuscled 1-5 favourite ATOMICA early in the stretch run, beating the filly by four and a quarter lengths in yesterday’s 10-furlong Jamaica St Leger, winning the ‘Battle of the Sexes’, moving one race closer to Triple Crown glory.
The Bern Identity-Blufield colt, who won the 2000 Guineas by almost 10 lengths, broke sharply from stall 10 in the 13-horse field while ATOMICA, the 1000 Guineas winner, twice encountered traffic problems before clearing the clubhouse turn.
Though ATOMICA recovered to chase and assume the lead from BRINKS down the backstretch, BLUE VINYL was travelling smoothly in third and challenged the filly three furlongs out.
Dane Dawkins asked ATOMICA to quicken off the home turn but BLUE VINYL came off the corner travelling stronger and collared the filly a furlong and a half out, lengthening his strides while she sought refuge along the rail.
BLUE VINYL powered home in 2:07.3, handing Raddesh Roman his second classic victory with the Patrick Lynch-trained colt at odds of 7-5.
BRINKS stayed on for third, running another brave race after his second-place finish to BLUE VINYL in the 2000 Guineas.
BLUE VINYL will seek to become the country’s 13th Triple Crown winner in the 12-furlong Jamaica Derby on August 6 whereas ATOMICA’s connections have the option of challenging the colt again or maintain her dominance over fillies in the 10-furlong Oaks a day later.
Reyan Lewis and Robert Pearson combined for a jockey-trainer two-timer on the 10-race card, WILL THE CONQUEROR and OUR ANGEL, in the sixth and eighth races, respectively.
Phillip Parchment also rode two winners, opening the card aboard JJTHESTRIKER, before returning to boot home AWESOME PRINCE in the third.
Racing continues at the weekend with a Saturday-Sunday meet.