Is that a fact surprises Legit Boss over five and a half

LAST WEEK’s ST Leger-winning combination of champion owner Carlton Watson, last year’s top trainer, Jason DaCosta, and red-hot jockey, Reyan Lewis, struck again yesterday with United States-bred IS THAT A FACT, who made all at 4-1 to upstage 3-5 favourite LEGIT BOSS, flashing home clear of the local-bred filly in a Restricted Stakes at five and a half furlongs.

The three-year-old Palace Malice-Valid Code colt broke flying from post-position three and opened up daylight on rivals, sprinting clear of LEGIT BOSS, who was left standing after improving into second off the home turn.

Lewis, who booted home THALITA in last Saturday’s St Leger for his first classic victory, moved his season’s tally to 58 wins, riding like a jockey all but crowned champion, considering he is first call on the live rides being pumped out of champion trainer DaCosta’s barn.

Though Lewis landed the day’s biggest purse, Tevin Foster, who was expected to be his main challenger for this season’s jockeys’ title, got the better of him in two events for a well-ridden three-timer, moving to 43 winners, a distant 15 behind his rival.

Foster first struck with the grey SNOWFLAKES, denying Lewis aboard hot favourite FAULT LINE, hanging on by a diminishing neck at seven furlongs in the second event.

Returning in the sixth event for maiden three-year-olds astride Anthony Nunes’ POWER FROM ABOVE, Foster settled Key To Power-Blufield filly down the backstretch before collaring long-time leader RICHIE RICH with Lewis coming off the final turn at nine and a half furlongs, signalling she could go home earning in the 10-furlong Jamaica Oaks set for August 5.

LOYAL ACTION chased DIGITAL LIGHT off the lead in the eighth, taking over at the half-mile marker with Foster for a strong win at six furlongs, closing the rider’s three-timer and rebounding from a poor run after finishing fifth at seven and a half furlongs the previous week.

Newly licensed trainers scored a unique ‘hat trick’ as FAULYNA FOREVER, CONTRACTOR and MAGICAL MOOD won races three to five out the five-furlong straight chute for Lennis Shim, Damon Gayle and Ricardo Brown, saddling their first career winners in style.

Racing continues this afternoon with a 10-race card.