Oneofakind takes ‘Foggy’ Mullings Memorial

ONEOFAKIND, a veteran of last year’s classic campaign, outbattled this season’s Derby runner-up, BILLY WHIZZ, to land yesterday’s Seymour ‘Foggy’ Mullings Memorial by a neck at a mile.

The winning margin came down to reinsmanship with jockey Robert Halledeen proving stronger than seven-pound claiming rider Matthew Bennett in a driving finish.

Carrying topweight 126lb, ONEOFAKIND, down in class from open allowance, made his bid from three furlongs out, going after BILLY WHIZZ being pressed by AWESOME TREASURE with EXCESSIVE FORCE racing third.

BILLY WHIZZ shook loose of AWESOME TREASURE coming off the turn but ONEOFAKIND was in full flight, straightening four wide with Halledeen, and quickly tackled the three-year-old a furlong and a half out after going by EXCESSIVE FORCE and AWESOME TREASURE.

Stronger rider prevailed

A game BILLY WHIZZ held his gallop in the stretch run when ONEOFAKIND came calling but the older colt and stronger rider prevailed in a stirring finish, clocking a solid 1:38.0 for the trip.

ONEOFAKIND’s victory over BILLY WHIZZ handed the two-time defending champion trainer a crucial victory over Jason DaCosta, denying his rival and stakes leader a third winner on the 11-race card.

However, DaCosta’s two-timer, after landing the sixth with LOVE CRAFT, kept him out front in stakes, having started the afternoon $1.5 million clear of Nunes, who had earlier won the third race for two-year-olds with 5-1 chance GOLDEN WATTLE.

Champion jockey-designate, Anthony Thomas, was aboard DaCosta’s winners. The day’s big upsetter was Philip Feanny’s imported I’VE GOT MAGIC, who struck at odds of 29-1 with veteran rider Everyone Miller, running past Nunes’ HOIST THE MAST close home at five furlongs straight in the seventh event.

Racing continues this afternoon with a nine-race card.

sports@gleanerjm.com