By V. Lloyd Simpson, ContributorI AM going to settle on morning line favourite A King Is Born as the likely winner of the final classic - the Cable & Wireless-sponsored St. Leger to be run over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
I am also backing Rear Admiral for the runner-up spot, followed by Pittacus and Herecomesfudgie.
It is difficult to expect any of the remaining contenders to separate those four - the race not being a handicap event.
If the seemingly indomitable 2000 Guineas and Red Stripe Jamaica Derby hero prevails, the Philip Feanny camp will have produced another triple-crown winner, thereby repeating Simply Magic's feat of 2002.
It would also mean another illustrious attainment for the 13-time champion conditioner - his camp having annexed the St. Leger four times in a row following the victories of I'm Satisfied in 2000, Millimetre in 2001, and Simply Magic in 2002.
Winston Griffiths will also have extended his tally of classic victories to the compelling number of 40, having already turned in this year's 2000 Guineas as well as the Jamaica Oaks and the Derby.
If The King wins, an almost foregone conclusion, he would be doing what his dam, Distinctly Native, failed to do in 1990 when she won the 1000 Guineas and the Jamaica Derby but failed to carry through in the St. Leger by losing to Derby runner-up Khadullah in her Triple Crown bid.
There is an aspect of the Derby of June 14 that has initiated a big talking point in racing circles. It is the expressed displeasure of trainer Anthony Nunes that his standard-bearer Pittacus was given less than a competent ride by Brian Harding and might have done considerably better in the Derby.
TWO TOP GUNS
Not being more than a non-professional when it comes to the rating of the competence of a jockey during his assignment, I can only say Pittacus was never expected to separate the two top guns, A King Is Born and Rear Admiral, nor to win the event. In any event, Pittacus is likely to have little impact on the outcome of the St. Leger.
There is another component of the St. Leger debate which justifies mention. It has to do with the jinx that is often associated with the particular race - so much so that some enthusiasts of the racing fraternity are suggesting that forecasters should not leave that factor entirely out of account.
Over the years, some turfites have never ceased to associate the event with the superstitious notoriety of being the graveyard of Derby winners.
Going as far back as 1997, Mr. Lover Lover won the Derby but fell victim to Derby runner-up Labeeb in the St. Leger, and going even further back to 1993, Restless Babe, winner of the Derby, failed to carry through in the St. Leger, falling to Vestia.
In 1998, the story was the same as Terremoto, winner of the Jamaica Derby and the Trinidad equivalent as well, yielded to My Lady Silk in the St. Leger.
The persistently dominant authority of A King Is Born is expected to prevail, with Rear Admiral the only contender with a chance of taking top honours. Rear Admiral has the distinction of beating the King as a two-year-old.
Saturday's version of the event marks the third straight year that Cable & Wireless has come aboard as sponsors, and putting up all of $2,000,000 this year in the process, the company deserves the highest acclaim.
