By Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterWITH THE final quarter of the racing year fast approaching, the emerging question at this stage is who will be Horse of the Year?
One thing is certain, the award will go to a horse from the stables of 13-time champion trainer Philip Feanny for the third straight year. Top sprinter I'MSATISFIED won it in 2002 and A KING IS BORN last year.
Already, both are leading contenders to win the award for a second time. Add top three-year-old DISTINCTLY IRISH to the mix and Feanny has yet another potential winner on his hands.
Up to the first six months of the year, it appeared that the crack American sprinter LIL'COUNTRY BOY would be a legitimate contender after reeling off a string of impressive cup race wins under heavy imposts during that period.
However, the speedy four-year-old colt from the stables of champion trainer Wayne DaCosta exposed his Achilles heel in
midsummer when he was not only outsprinted, but humbled by A KING IS BORN in the She's On Wheels Trophy over 1100 metres a race run in blistering splits (22.1, 44.4) and a final time (1:04.2), the fastest for the distance since the track was resurfaced in 1998.
With other top horses such as
last year's Superstakes winner PITTACUS and champion stayer ROYAL RUN failing to live up to expectations especially PITTACUS, who is without a victory in 2004 it will definitely come down to the Feanny trio.
CREDENTIALS
Let's look at their credentials.
Full brothers A KING IS BORN and DISTINCTLY IRISH, both of whom race in the silks of popular owner Howard Hamilton (Hamark Farms), have lost only once from four starts this season.
A KING IS BORN, a good winner from RIVER JORDON over 1200 metres when making his seasonal debut on April 28, looked awesome when putting away LIL'COUNTRY BOY in their big clash on July 24. In between these two wins, the four-year-old son of Royal Minister out of the 1990 Guineas and Derby winner DISTINCTLY NATIVE, won over the straight five course on July 10 in near track record time of 56.4.
True, 'The King' could only manage fourth to lesser fancied stable-companion I'MSATISFIED in the valuable Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes Trophy over 1300 metres on August 28, but could be said to have a valid excuse for that defeat in that he bolted for 800 metres prior to the start and, despite this, was allowed to run, much to the displeasure of Feanny.
A KING IS BORN is being prepared to take his chances in the rich Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint Championship rather than the Superstakes on November 13. He has clearly established himself as the top sprinter in the country and should have little difficulty in confirming this.
Wouldn't it be better for his 'Horse of the Year' cause to let him run in the Superstakes?
Instead, Hamilton will pin his Superstakes hopes on the year younger DISTINCTLY IRISH, who is yet to face the starter since losing out to RUN PAPA RUN in his Triple Crown bid in the St. Leger over 2000 metres on July 3.
DISTINCTLY IRISH had previously romped the Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas in April and the Red Stripe Derby on June 12 when recording the widest margin of victory for the premier classic in the Caymanas Park era. If the Royal Minister Distinctly Native offspring can rebound in the Superstakes, all would be forgiven as we are yet to see the best of this talented three-year-old colt.
LEADING CONTENDER
Saving the best for last, the leading Superstakes contender at this stage is perhaps I'MSATISFIED, who at the advanced age of seven has never been better.
Owned by Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany, the 2000 Triple Crown winner and two-time sprint champion completed a fabulous hat-trick of cup race wins on August 28 when storming through the distance under Charles Hussey to win the Digicel Trophy by five lengths in the smart time of 1:17.2, leaving in his wake, A KING IS BORN and LIL'COUNTRY BOY.
Prior to that, I'MSATISFIED won the Viceroy Trophy over 1800 metres on July 3 ahead of stable-companion HERECOMESFUDGIE, as well as the Prime Minister's Stakes over the Superstakes distance of 2000 metres on August 6 (Independence Day) when leading home ROYAL RUN.
The illustrious campaigner, who became the leading all-time stakes winner some months ago with over $14 million, looks in unbeaten shape at present and could upstage THE VICEROY who in 1992 won the Superstakes (his third) at age six.
Should I'MSATISFIED win the Superstakes, a second 'Horse of the Year' award would be a mere formality. According to reports, his final prep before the big invitational race will be the valuable Governor General's Stakes over 2000 metres on Heroes Day, October 18. He is a proven weight carrier who could cap a marvellous season by winning the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup over 2400 metres on Boxing Day as well.
Given the glorious uncertainties of racing, any of the three could emerge 'Horse of the Year' as they represent class. All being well, I am hitching my wagon to I'MSATISFIED. Leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths should ride him in preference to DISTINCTLY IRISH.
