— Kennard’s Pre Independence Race Meet
California Strike led wire-to-wire in the feature D1 and Lower event at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club yesterday, beating Run Na Na Run by about five lengths.
Driven by Colin Ross, the seven year-old chestnut colt owned by the Shariff Stables ran the one-mile event in a brisk 1m:45.52s to claim the top honours of $400,000.
Sent off as the betting favourite, California Strike started from the inside post and faced little pressure through most of the race. He then drew off in the homestretch to seal the win.
Run Na Na Run galloped away with $200,00 while $100,00 and 50,000 went to the owners of Monsoon and Red Cloud.
California Strike won the feature event but Famous Pride owned and trained by C. Washington was the most celebrated horse of the day.
The three-year old Bay Colt won both races it entered.
Quick results of the six-race Pre Independence Race Meet
Race 1 J3-WA five furlongs
1st) Famous Pride ($150,000)
2nd) Little ($75,000)
3rd) Road Is Mine ($38,000)
4th) Princess Stallion ($19,000)
Race 2 G1 and Lower
1st) Work Force ($300,000)
2nd) Monsoon ($150,000)
3rd) Another Jet ($75,000)
4th) Flying Baby ($38,000)
Race 3 J1 and Lower
1st) Party Time ($200,000)
2nd) Smarty Light ($100,000)
3rd) Little ($50,000)
4th) Lady Secret ($25,000)
Race 4 J3 and Lower
1st) Famous Pride ($150,000)
2nd) Road is Mine ($75,000)
3rd) Speed Vision ($38,000)
4th) Princess Stallion ($19,000)
Race 6 I1 and Lower
1st) Savion ($250,000)
2nd) Mary Ann ($175,000)
3rd) Party Time ($63,000)
4th) Royal Cash ($32,000)
Notes: The next horse racing event, the Independence Cup will be staged at the Rising Sun Turf Club on Sunday.
Russell Chichester was the champion jockey of the day. (Emmerson Campbell)
