Divine Force relegates speedsters to chasing pack

UNITED STATES-BRED DIVINE FORCE yesterday at Caymanas Park completed consecutive victories with Tevin Foster in the Lindbergh ‘Lindy’ Delapenha Memorial at a mile for overnight-allowance runners.

Running as the 4-5 favourite, DIVINE FORCE dismissed topweight local-bred I REALISE leaving the half-mile marker, establishing a six-length lead entering the home turn.

D HEAD CORNERSTONE made a brave bid to cut into DIVINE FORCE’s lead inside the last furlong. However, Foster switched his whip from right to left, angling his mount off the rail, just enough to discourage the late challenge.

Winning by a length

Presented in immaculate condition by 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, four-year-old DIVINE FORCE (Alternation-Dance America) completed the trip in 1:39.4, winning by a length and a quarter for owner A.C.K Stables.

Meanwhile, Foster’s rival atop the jockeys’ standings, Raddesh Roman, with whom he started the day locked on 13 winners after exchanging fireworks for the last two weekends, edged ahead with a two-timer on the nine-race card.

Roman, who shared riding honours with Omar Walker, landed the second event with howling 1-9 favourite PROVOCATIVA and the sixth astride 8-1 mild upsetter CHITU PRINCE.

Walker opened the programme aboard 2-1 chance GALWAY BAY and brought down the curtains with BABYLOVE at 5-1.

Racing resumes with a midweek holiday card, Ash Wednesday, featuring a Reggae 6 mandatory payout, which is expected to exceed $20 million.