Tricky opener for Reggae 6

Sunday's Reggae 6 opener, a six-furlong restricted to four-year-olds, non-winners of two races, should be approached with caution, especially with potential sleepers lying in wait for new-to-the-class runners such as BENSON, who impressively beat maidens last Saturday.

HEDGE CRAFT, BLINKIN LIGHT and DON PABLO have been lurking among non-winners-of-two since last year whereas BENSON and BAD INVESTMENT are 2024 graduates, yet to cut their teeth at the level.

BENSON looked flashy when streaking away from SIR WONG DON, a 13-length victory, seemingly relishing middle-distance, as opposed to his three prior attempts at sprinting.

Tevin Foster was able to conserve BENSON's speed down the backstretch against slower WONG DON, releasing his mount in the stretch run, after which it was a foregone conclusion at six and a half furlongs.

The rule of thumb is that a double-digit winner should be followed when stepping up in class. However, a double-digit winner against maidens could be tricky to apply that measure. HEDGE CRAFT finished fourth among winners last Sunday, two and a half lengths behind disqualified SPARKLES.

A case can also be made for BLINKIN LIGHT, who has been catching the pace in sprints against quicker rivals. Note how trainer Gary Griffiths has fitted BLINKIN LIGHT with a tongue tie, retaining champion jockey Reyan Lewis.

Similar to HEDGE CRAFT, BLINKIN LIGHT was fourth among non-winners-of-two, a decent event won by KISSMET on February 14. Griffiths has kept his cards close to his chest, not revealing much at exercise with BLINKIN LIGHT, who strode five furlongs in 1:06.0 on Tuesday.

DON PABLO emerged from the woodworks two Saturdays ago, closing fast at five furlongs straight for second behind GOLDEN SYRUP. Trainer Al Brown has replaced Youville Pinnock with Panamanian Josue Osorio, clearly showing his intent.

Reggae 6 bankers are at the tail, LIFE IS LIFE in what appears a Jason DaCosta yard sale on a $550,000 claiming tag, followed by BOSS IZZY, who, at 10 years old, appears the best of a bad lot among $180,000 claimers in the fifth.

SIR WONG DON, though appearing to be a giveaway father, should get his chance down the aisle against maidens in the sixth at five furlongs straight.

JIMMIE

REGGAE 6

Race 1: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8

Race 2: 1, 2

Race 3: 1, 2, 3, 6

Race 4: 1

Race 5: 9

Race 6: 9

TOTAL: $400

TWILIGHT 6

Race 4: 1

Race 5: 9

Race 6: 9

Race 7: 5

Race 8: 5

Race 9: 2

TOTAL: $10

BEST THREE

Race 7: She's A Godgift

Race 8: Interestntimesahead

Race 9: She's That Girl

OUTSIDER:

Race 1: Blinkin Light

BONUS BET:

KETCH 9

Race 1: 3, 4, 6, 7, 8

Race 2: 1, 2

Race 3: 1, 2, 3, 6

Race 4: 1

Race 5: 9

Race 6: 9

Race 7: 5

Race 8: 5

Race 9: 2

Race 10: 6, 9

TOTAL: $800