Generational steps up with big win

GENERATIONAL, picked up for $550,000 by Rowan Mathie on December 27 from Anthony Nunes' annual fire sale in defence of his trainers' title, yesterday won four levels higher, outfinishing RAS EMANUEL at five and a half furlongs.

Mathie, who has won multiple races with PATRIARCH and GOD OF LOVE, similarly claimed from Nunes, again showed his knack of improving horses jettisoned by the three-time champion trainer.

GENERATIONAL, who ran a vastly improved fourth in overnight allowance, first time out for Mathie in January 30, a month off the claim, broke sharply with Robert Halledeen but was overtaken by VERSATILE VISION, who shot through at odds of 9-1 with Paul Francis.

Halledeen made his bid off the home turn, collaring VERSATILE VISION, but had to ride out GENERATIONAL to hold RAS EMANUEL's late charge along the rail with Omar Walker.

GENERATIONAL won the three-way photo in 1:07.0, by a short head, over RAS EMANUEL with VERSATILE VISION a neck away.

Dane Dawkins extended his lead atop the jockeys' standings with a quick double, SANTORINI and SENCITY, moving to 18 winners, seven clear of Halledeen.

Nunes saddled two winners on the nine-race card, SANTORINI and OLDKINGCOLE.

Racing continues on Saturday with a mandatory Reggae 6 payout with big jackpots also looming in the Ketch 9 and Twilight 6, which has a $2 million carryover.