Madelyn’s Sunshine makes it look easy

UNITED STATES-BRED MADELYN’S SUNSHINE’s returned for a second outing after a five-month break to wire overnight-allowance rivals at six furlongs, going pillar to post with leading rider Reyan Lewis in yesterday’s Kaz Hoshay Trophy at six furlongs.

A winner at the level in April, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE went on to prove her class a month later, chasing home stablemate SHE’S MY DESTINY in a grade-one event at six furlongs.

However, she finished down the track at five furlongs straight three weeks later, stepping down a level lower among open-allowance runners, after which she was sent on a break by champion trainer Jason DaCosta.

Returning last month at five furlongs straight, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE ran a brave race with the track bias against her at five furlongs straight, taking on Canadian AMERICAN TAP, who won in an impressive 58.2.

Reporting with that run under her girth, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE was not for catching yesterday, dismissing challenges down the backstretch and running away from LABAN in the stretch run, clocking 1:13.0, handing Lewis his third winner of the afternoon.

Moving to 92 winners with his three-timer, Lewis opened his account aboard SIMBA THE LION in the second event and rode a powerful race astride Canadian ATLANTIC CONVOY to repel multiple challenges in the stretch run of the ninth event at a mile after taking over from STRIKE SMART four and a half furlongs out.

Coasting 15 winners clear of defending champion Dane Dawkins, who opened the 10-race programme aboard NEO STAR, Lewis, first-call at champion trainer DaCosta’s barn, appears tough to overhaul in a bid for his first riders’ title.

Tevin Foster, stayed third in the standings, four behind Dawkins, moving to 73 wins with two victories for Anthony Nunes, WOW HOW and SAVVY GIRL, in the sixth and eighth races, respectively.

Racing continues on Saturday.