Tigray Express, a six-year-old bay horse trained by Adrian Prince, produced a scintillating performance to win the sixth race on Saturday’s nine-race card at Caymanas Park.

The Optional Claiming event ($750,000-$600,000) spread that included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of four) and imported six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) was contested over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m).

Ridden by champion jockey Raddesh Roman, Tigray Express broke smartly and tracked early leader
Anonymous (Richie Shakes) from second position. Tigray Express maintained his steady gallop down the backstretch before making his move to take up the running going into the half-mile (800m) turn.

Tigray Express then began to open up on rivals approaching the distance. Colorado Ranger (Javaniel Patterson) attempted to mount a challenge, but Tigray Express was unstoppable, romping home by a length and a quarter in a time of 1:35.1 (24.0 x 47.3 x 1:14.0 x 1:27.4). Colorado Ranger took second place, with Princess Talise (Dane Dawkins) finishing third.

— Ruddy Allen