Atomica romps Ian Levy Cup feature

ATOMICA ran MAMMA MIA off the lead and awaited her rival’s stablemate, IS THAT A FACT, who she battled from against the rail in the stretch run, rallying when headed off, to land yesterday’s Ian Levy Cup by almost six lengths.

Forgiven by punters for another roguish Mouttet Mile run on December 2, decking Dane Dawkins approaching the home turn, ATOMICA was sent off at a speculative 3-5, a king’s ransom for the two-time Jamaica Cup winner at eight and a half furlongs

MAMMA MIA, who led the Mouttet Mile for six furlongs with 110lb, attempted to unsettle ATOMICA for United States-bred IS THAT A FACT to pounce.

However, 11 additional pounds for placing third in the year’s biggest purse proved too much for MAMMA MIA, who quit when ATOMICA attacked five furlongs out, allowing Dawkins to give the 2022 Jamaica Derby heroine a breather, awaiting IS THAT A FACT’s challenge.

IS THAT A FACT, who had come from way back to finish fourth in the Mouttet Mile, made what appeared to be a winning bid when his sweeping move took him heads on with ATOMICA coming off the home turn.

Galloping strongly in the stretch run, IS THAT A FACT pointed a furlong and a half out but ATOMICA rallied against the rail to stamp her class on the American, pulling off inside the final half-furlong for a five and three-quarter length win.

Stopping the clock in 1:43.4, 1.3 seconds shy of Smile N Leave’s track record, 1:42.1, posted with 96lb, ATOMICA again proved herself as a potent sprinter-stayer with a record of 14 wins from 19 starts.

Tevin Foster rode three winners on the 10-race card, booting home BASICILUS, VOLATILITY at five furlongs straight in the fourth and eighth events, respectively.

Foster, runner-up to Reyan Lewis in last season’s jockeys’ title race, closed the programme astride EAZY PEAZY, making all at six and a half furlongs.

Anthony Nunes saddled two winners, three-year-old debutant PLAYFAIR in the third and VOLATILITY.

Raddesh Roman, who rode PLAYFAIR, continued his rich form aboard NEO STAR, closing his two-timer with the in-utero, who franked his narrow loss to RAINSVILLE on Mouttet Mile Day by taking charge of the SVREL Fan Appreciation Day Trophy three furlongs out for a convincing win at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Racing continues in January with two consecutive Saturday meets before closing with back-to-back Saturday-Sunday race days.