Rejected Raja has too much pace for rivals

REJECTED RAJA used his mid-race pace and faster ground to attack rivals entering the main track of yesterday’s five-furlong straight restricted stakes, completing a two-timer for Robert Halledeen in 1:00.4.

Sent off at 5-1 among imported runners, non-winners of three races, and local-breds hunting a fourth win, REJECTED RAJA settled behind the leaders exiting the chute before Halledeen roused the Soul Warrior-Palace Gold four-year-old colt.

REJECTED RAJA responded on cue, charging past BOX BOX, LEGIT BOSS and PRINCESS AMAHLE and STRIKE SMART, who were four-in-a-line two furlongs out. Ridden out by Halledeen, REJECTED RAJA, who last won in August at the exact trip, pulled away inside the last furlong to win by two and a quarter lengths.

PRINCESS AMAHLE nosed out HUNTSMAN for the runner-up spot whereas LEGIT BOSS stayed on for fourth, bringing down the curtain on the eight-race card, closing a two-timer for Halledeen, who had earlier won the second astride Oral Hayden’s three-year-old debutant, UNRULY DON.

Champion jockey Reyan Lewis rode a three-timer, closing with an armchair ride aboard back-to-back winner STORM in the Robert ‘Claiming King’ Darby Trophy at seven furlongs for $1 million claimers.

Saddled by Peter-John Parsard, nine-year-old STORM made all the running, unlike a month ago when he was forced to come from behind after stumbling at the start.

Lewis, who is off to a slow start this season, lagging ninth in the jockeys’ standings at the start of the afternoon, moved up to sixth, joining Paul Francis on nine winners with earlier victories aboard BLITZ STRIKE in the opening event, and ROYAL ASH, who he guided home by a nose from fast-finishing COOKIE DAY N NIGHT in the fourth at seven furlongs.

Leading rider Tevin Foster extended his lead to 13 clear of injured Raddesh Roman, booting home two greys, APHELIOS in the fifth and SWEET VICTORY in the seventh, taking his tally to 38 winners atop the standings.

Racing continues with the first Saturday-Sunday meet for April, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association of Jamaica Weekend.