AS expected, the Anthony Nunes-conditioned Curlin’s Affair bounced back from a poor effort on last to defeat rivals in the $1.1-million top-rated Overnight Allowance event, the main attraction on the 11-race programme at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Curlin’s Affair, who bled when finishing down the track behind Jordon Reign’s over six and a half furlongs (1,300m) on June 18, showed no signs of distress in his length-an-a-quarter win in the three-year-old and upward contest over five furlongs (1,000m) on the round course.

Jockey Reyan Lewis broke Curlin’s Affair well at the off and positioned the chestnut colt in second place behind Generational (Romario Spencer) going into the half-mile turn. Curlin’s Affair then maintained his gallop well approaching the distance despite Generational upping the tempo entering the straight.

With the leader failing to kick in deep stretch, Curlin’s Affair produced a strong run on the inside rails to register his third win for the season from nine starts. The Perfect Curlin–Nuclear Affair offspring won ahead of El Profesor and Generational in that order in a final time of 1:01.1.

It was the second winner on the day for Nunes as the three-time defending champion conditioner saddled 14-1 outsider Bugatti in the eighth race. Bugatti was ridden by Tevin Foster.

Also with two winners were jockeys Anthony Thomas and Dane Dawkins.

Champion Thomas won aboard Conundrum for trainer Ralph Roberts in the sixth race, the $660,000 Al Gopie Memorial Cup over the straight course, and Gracefully Made for trainer Alford Brown in the 10th race. Current leading rider Dawkins was successful aboard Love Dub in the opening race for trainer Gary Subratie and Dodge This Link for trainer Ian Parsard in the fourth race.

With those winners Anthony Thomas took his tally to 54 wins, still three winners behind Dawkins on 57 winners atop of the standing. Dawkins is in the hunt for his first title while Thomas has already won three championships.

The $680,000 Jamaica Jockeys’ Guild Trophy over seven furlongs (1,400m) was won by the Carl Anderson-bred, -owned and -trained Great Britt.

Ridden by Shane Ellis, former president of the Jamaica Jockeys’ Guild Association, Great Britt was 4¼ lengths ahead of Hijo Primero (Javaniel Patterson) and Charmin Beauty (Abigail Able) at the wire. The final time was 1:30.0.

Racing continues next Saturday.

— Ruddy Allen