Easter Monday trebles at Caymanas

APPRENTICE Reyan Lewis combined with Patrick Lynch yesterday to notch a rare jockey-trainer three-timer GLITTER RIVER, PERFECT ASSET and FORMAL FASHION all favourites on the 10-race card.

Champion jockey Anthony Thomas also rode a three-timer, EARN YOUR STRIPES, LUANA, and Gary Subratie’s United States-bred HILLY’S HALO, who outfinished 4-5 favourite PATRIARCH in a stirring stretch battle in the Easter Sprint Cup feature race at five and a half furlongs.

Leading trainer Anthony Nunes saddled two winners, closing the Easter on a high note after sweeping last week’s 1000 and 2000 Guineas classics.

Nunes won one race in the stewards’ room, KALAHARI awarded the eighth event after the disqualification of first-past-the-post VIRTUOSO, who swerved to her left at the start, sparking a chain reaction resulting in multiple interferences.

Nunes’ other winner, EARN YOUR STRIPES, needed no assistance from the men in suits. Fifth in the 2000 Guineas two Sundays ago, was restrained by Thomas before pouncing on AMERICAN INVADER three and a half furlongs out.

Running 16lb heavier than EARN YOUR STRIPES, United States-bred LEGALITY tried to move as a team with the local-bred but flattened out in the straight when asked to challenge by Omar Walker.

Yesterday’s holiday card closed the Easter carnival with Nunes’ stakes earnings so far almost doubling those of his closest pursuers, Gary Subratie and Wayne DaCosta, a lead which gives him his best chance ever of securing his first trainers’ title.

Racing continues at Caymanas Park on Saturday.