Atomica goes from gate to wire to win third straight Jamaica Cup

Reigning 2-time Horse of the Year Atomica has won the $6 million Jamaica Cup for the third consecutive year after going from gate to wire in Saturday's 9 and a half furlong contest to qualify for next month's ultra-rich Mouttet Mile.

Atomica was sent off as the 6-5 favourite with her favourite rider and former champion jockey Dane Dawkins in the field of 11. She staved off a late surge from Jamaica Derby runner-up run Julie Run.

The 5 year old chestnut mare covered the distance in 2 minutes and one-fifth of a second, closing out a double for both Dawkins and Subratie.

Meanwhile, the eagerly anticipated match-up between the American-bred pair of Desert of Malibu and Pack Plays in the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance Port Royal Sprint over 6 furlongs, turned into an anti-climatic affair.
The even money favourite Desert of Malibu under title-chasing jockey Raddesh Roman, coasted to a 4-and-a-quarter length victory, as Dick Cardenas, the jockey aboard pack plays, lost his stirrup irons at the start.

Gary Subratie's 5 year old chestnut mare who was recording her 4th consecutive victory. Desert of Malibu completed a double for Roman who moved his tally for the season to 117 wins, two clear of Tevin Foster in the race for the jockeys' championship. Foster rode one winner on the 10 race card.

Trainer Patrick "Wacky" Lynch saddled a three-timer. Racing continues next Saturday.