Run Smile Run goes all the way
Published:Thursday | June 24, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
In-form trainer Ryan Darby continued to churn out the winners at Caymanas Park this season, posting 5-1 shot RUN SMILE RUN to a decisive post-to-post victory in the Dr David 'Jack' Radix Memorial Cup feature over 1820 metres yesterday, this for $180,000 claimers.
Darby, who back in February capped the Most Improved Trainer award for 2009, presented RUN SMILE RUN in tip-top shape after claiming her on May 29. The improving apprentice Jevvanne Erwin put her in front from the start and proceeded to pace the field to death, so to speak, leaving in her wake the 3-1 second favourite MISS ATLANTIC STAR and 3-5 favourite SAMBA DANCER.
RUN SMILE RUN coasted into the straight some five lengths clear of MISS ATLANTIC STAR and kept on strongly to win by the diminishing margin of 1 1/2 lengths in a field of eight.
MISS ATLANTIC STAR was flattered by her proximity to the winner, who was eased by Erwin from midway the last furlong, the jockey standing tall with
His whip raised in triumph.
Darby said he realised that going the longer distance of this race, the five-year-old mare could use her superior pace to full advantage.
"I instructed the rider to take advantage of what would be a very, very slow pace and put her in front. She was able to open up a long lead approaching the final bend and I knew then that she would not be caught," explained the second-generation trainer, who added that the horse was put on a different programme by him since she was claimed for $180,000 from trainer George Edwards. Incidentally, the trainer's father, Robert Darby Sr, also posted a winner on the card - YAMASHITA's GOLD (2-1) in the second race.
Erwin, meanwhile, rode two winners in RUN SMILE RUN and CRITICAL REVIEW (5-2) who ran on strongly in the last furlong, as did fellow apprentice Aaron Chatrie - ALLTHEBEST and PALATINE. The latter was the first of two winners for owner Elias Haloute and trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, who also posted the record-priced yearling ($2.7 million) of 2008, SI PUEDO (Image Maker - De Barrel Come) under Shane Ellis to win the closing race for maiden three-year-olds.