Atomica destroys Jamaica Cup rivals

ATOMICA YESTERDAY blew her nine rivals to bits, all of 16 lengths worth, to make a mockery of the $6 million Jamaica Cup, obliterating FURTHER AND BEYOND’s mark set last year by almost three seconds.

After enduring a rough trip and finishing a disappointing fifth in the October 22 Gold Cup at seven furlongs, her second defeat in nine starts, Jamaica Derby-winner ATOMICA exploded from post-position eight and made every yard a winning one in the nine and a half-furlong event at odds of 3-5.

BLUE VINYL, who denied ATOMICA Triple Crown glory by beating her in the St Leger, tried desperately to chase the Nuclear Wayne-Honkeytonkville speedster off the lead but was outclassed by the filly, who coasted into the lane under Dane Dawkins and sped away when asked to change her lead coming off the home turn.

ATOMICA stopped the clock in 1:57.3, two seconds and four-fifths faster than FURTHER AND BEYOND’s 2:00.2 clocked in last year’s first running of the event inaugurated by Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited to fill the grade-one slot normally occupied by the 10-furlong Superstakes.

CRIMSON emerged from the pack in a distant battle for second to close the exacta for trainer Gary Subratie at whopping odds of 52-1.

ATOMICA’s anhiliation of a half of the expected line-up for the US$125,000 Mouttet Mile in three weeks’ time has set tongues wagging in anticipation for her match-up with Ian Parsard’s five-year-old MAHOGANY, who threw down the gauntlet with a commanding victory in the Gold Cup.

Dawkins continues to hold a two-win lead over defending champion jockey Anthony Thomas in the riders’ standings with his victory astride ATOMICA after his rival booted home HIJO PRIMERO in the second event at seven furlongs.

A new generation of racers enter the sales ring at today’s Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association of Jamaica’s Mixed Sale. It is at this event, two years ago, that ATOMICA and BLUE VINYL were sold for $700,000 and $900,000, respectively.

The sale gets underway at 10 a.m. in the official car park, adjacent the racing office.

Racing resumes next weekend with Saturday-Sunday meets.