Mahogany merciless over five furlongs

MAHOGANY YESTERDAY consoled his connections for failing to defend his Gold Cup crown by halting United States-bred IS THAT A FACT’s win streak with a satisfying runaway victory at five furlongs.

Caught by SHE’S MY DESTINY inside the final half-furlong of the grade-one seven-furlong Gold Cup two Mondays ago, MAHOGANY showed his open-allowance rivals no mercy from the off, easing past FREEDOM STREET within a half-furlong of the start.

Travelling easily on the lead with JORDON REIGN’S and FREEDOM STREET chasing, MAHOGANY had tons in reserve when IS THAT A FACT rounded rivals to make a bid three furlongs out.

Cruising into the lane with Robert Halledeen taking glimpses between his legs, MAHOGANY opened up under a hand ride to sprint clear of IS THAT A FACT, who drifted inwards a furlong and a half out, hindering JORDON REIGN’S and FREEDOM STREET.

Minding his business on a six-length lead, MAHOGANY clocked a zippy 59.3, outclassing IS THAT A FACT, who was afterwards disqualified and placed fourth behind third-past-the-post JORDON REIGN’S.

Reyan Lewis continues to merrily lead his peers atop the jockeys’ standings, booting home back-to-back winners on the 10-race card, VICTORIASMEDALLION and United STATES-bred DIGITAL ONE in the Hover Craft Sprint for two-year-olds at six furlongs.

Racing continues this afternoon with an eight-race card, featuring a mandatory Reggae 6 payout, opening at the first event with a possible jackpot of $20 million.