Whitehall in winners’ circle

WINNIPEG, Canada – Barbadian jockey Antonio Whitehall paired with 6-5 favourite Kickalittlebooty to win the CAN$25 000 Manitoba Oaks at Assiniboia Downs yesterday.

Going a mile in the 33rd running of the programme’s feature in race five for three-year-old fillies, Kickalittlebooty caught leader Dazzling Gold in mid-stretch to storm to the wire a length clear in one minute, 43.20 seconds.

Dazzling Gold was eventually disqualified after finishing second and placed fifth, after Barbadian rider Nirone Austin on fourth placed Belle Strike lodged a complaint for interference.

The victory for Kickalittlebooty was her second in three outings this year following a similar success in the Chantilly Stakes on June 16.

Small Surprise, ridden by champion Barbadian jockey Rico Walcott, and Christmas Dance duelled through the first quarter run in 24 seconds flat with Whitehall racing Kickalittlebooty off the pace in fifth but just about 2-½ lengths off the lead.

Dazzling Gold forced the pace off the turn and took the lead in the stretch but Whitehall brought Kickalittlebooty with a flying late run to collar the leader and get the three-year-old bay filly to the wire strongly.

Trinidadian Richard Mangalee, meanwhile, logged two victories on the day’s seven-race card when he scored aboard 3-1 chance Witts Lucky Shoes in race three and 16-1 outsider Captain Amante in the final race.

He opened his account in a five furlong sprint with three-year-old bay gelding Witts Lucky Shoes, heading Dixie Pulpit into the first turn, opening up a clear lead before having to hold off fast-finishing Strong Arm to win by a head.

Mangalee’s second win came over 7-½ furlongs when he paired with five-year-old roan gelding Captain Amante to edge the three-year-olds and upward by a head, after getting up late. (CMC)