Calculus king of the two-turn distances

CALCULUS CONFIRMED his superiority as a two-turn specialist, defying a topweight 126lb to beat fellow Jamaica Derby winner, KING ARTHUR, by two and a half lengths in defence of his Miracle Man Cup title at nine and a half furlongs yesterday.

Sent off as the 6-5 favourite in the six-horse field crowded by three runners from champion trainer Jason DaCosta’s barn, Gary Subratie’s 2021 derby winner broke sharply under Robert Halledeen to keep LURE OF LUCY honest heading into the clubhouse turn.

Though running 25lb lighter than CALCULUS, United States-bred LURE OF LUCY could not slip the five-year-old, who kept her true down the backstretch before taking over three and a half furlongs out.

KING ARTHUR, who stalked in third from the off, made his bid three furlongs out, circling stablemate LURE OF LUCY to chase CALCULUS into the lane. However, the 2020 derby winner fizzled a furlong out as CALCULUS found extra to maintain his gallop.

STUTTERING START

CALCULUS won in 2:02.0 ahead of KING ARTHUR, who was well clear of third-place POSITIVE ID, recovering from a stuttering start to close late in the event.

Ray Phillips saddled two winners on the 10-race card, 2-1 chance RUM WITH ME and 3-1 shot JUST MOVE IN, in the second and ninth races, respectively.

Roger Hewitt was aboard two winners, closing along the rail with RUM WITH ME to catch MISTER NANDATE stealing home in the second event. Hewitt returned to make all astride QUEEN ZAN at 5-1 in the eighth at five furlongs straight.