Harry Smith (left), chief customer relations director at Digicel, presents the new Digicel Jamaica Derby Trophy to Davian Lynch, son of winning trainer Patrick Lynch, who saddled The Bomber to win the 87th running of the premier classic at Caymanas Park on Saturday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

b>Five-time champion and 'Hall of Fame' jockey, Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths, dropped the bomb again at Caymanas Park on Saturday, only this time it was a big one.

Going wire-to-wire, Griffiths booted home the lightly raced but unbeaten 3-y-o colt to a memorable victory in the 87th running of the Digicel Derby, leaving rivals for dead from the half-mile to win fairly comfortably from the fast-finishing favourite, RUM TALK, under five-time champion jockey Trevor Simpson.

Although recording the slowest time (2:40.1) for the 2400-metre race since Triple Crown winner I'MSATISFIED clocked 2:38.2 in 2000, THE BOMBER (4-1) was allowed to dictate his own pace and was never extended. After opening up an eight-length lead over the chasing NATURALLY ROYAL leaving the half-mile, Griffiths was always high in the saddle up the lane and applying his fanning trademark style of riding, THE BOMBER was not for catching.

It was the jockey's 11th Derby winner from a world record tally of 42 classic wins in a long and illustrious career. But this one, coming as it did in the twilight of his career, was special to 'Fanna', who turns 49 in September.

For jockey-turned-trainer Patrick 'Wacky' Lynch, it was a dream come true, as he humbled the big trainers in much the same way another trainer with a small string of horses, Eraldo Fullerton, did a year ago with RANSOM MAN.

"This was as good as gold," said the elated trainer. "I knew the horse had the ability and with a jockey of Griffiths' calibre and Lasix now applied, the victory was not surprising," added Lynch.

The trainer confessed that he didn't have to give Griffiths any instructions in the ring. He just told him to ride THE BOMBER as he saw fit, as 'Fanna' had partnered him to victory in his two previous races.

The mile and quarter Jamaica St. Leger on July 7 is now shaping up to be an interesting affair. Will they allow THE BOMBER to pay catch me if you can once again, or will the son of Outrigger-Nuttin But Red improve to such as extent by then that it will be much of the same?

Meanwhile, Digicel pulled out all the stops to ensure it was a day worth remembering at the track. The activity under the infield tent was first class and the New York, New York concept was well thought out, with giant photographs of the Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, Apollo Theatre and a Central Park area (in front of the stage) all in place. For a while it was as if you were actually experiencing the Big Apple.

TRULY ENTERTAINED

Rising Star runner-up Nekiesha Barnes, DJ Kurt Riley and ensemble group Ashe all played their part to ensure that the guests on the infield were well and truly entertained. Barnes seemed to have come a long way since her Rising Stars stint and looked and sounded great in her rendition of Turn Your Lights Down Low and You Going Down.

In keeping with the New York, New York theme, Ashe featured the dancing Radio City Music Hall Rocketts and performed a number of songs from hit Broadway musicals such as Chicago, Rent and The Lion King.

My favourite was Seasons of Love (five hundred-twenty five thousand 600 minutes) from Rent.

It was quite an appropriate song for the occasion.