By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
A King Is Born fancied for Reggae Trophy. - File
HORSE RACING makes a welcome return to Caymanas Park tomorrow following a three-week break, during which the Jamaica Racehorse Trainers Association and the Jamaica Racing Commission were embroiled in a dispute.
Of course, there were also the effects of Hurricane Ivan which would have forced a shutdown for the race meets of Saturday, September 11 and Wednesday, September 15 under normal circumstances.
The Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders sponsored 11-race programme will feature the inaugural running of the $1 million CTL Stakes for three-year-olds over 1300 metres, the $775,000 Reggae Trophy Graded Stakes over the straight five course for top class horses along with the $750,000 Dewhurst Stakes over 1300 metres for native bred two-year-olds. All three races have attracted six starters.
Meanwhile, the programme offers a fantastic Pick-9 carryover of $3.89 million and with heavier than usual betting expected, a payout in excess of $5 million looks a mere formality, providing it can be caught. The Pick-9 embraces races three to 11.
The Super-6, on the other hand, boasts a carryover of $538,451.55. It will be conducted from race six to 11. The Super-6 gets underway with a 3-y-o Restricted Allowance II over 1300 metres to be contested by 13 starters.
Leading lights are MINISTEROFFINANCE, OH NO GRANDPA, MOST WANTED and the fleet-footed LADY LAMMTARRA, who will have to be caught.
ONE TO CATCH
The one best equipped to catch her is MOST WANTED, a consistent 3-y-o colt by Royal Minister out of Believing who failed narrowly to catch NATURAL PRINCE over 1400 metres on September 4 when apprentice-ridden.
ZAMA, winner of the RJR Classic over 1400 metres on July 17, should capture the inaugural running of the CTL Imported Stakes, despite topweight of 57.0kg.
Since winning that race, the speedy American filly from the stables of trainer Dwight Chen ran creditably behind the likes of FORMALLY GOLD and GOOD COMPANY in two separate open allowance races and having worked impressively in preparation for this, should lead home CAPTAIN BONE and BUYABOOK.
WORKED WELL
INTROSPECTION, who worked well last Saturday morning when galloping six furlongs in 1:17.0, easily gets the nod over TROPICAL DREAMER (showed promise on her debut over the course), COURT JESTER and FIRSTLADYOFTHECITY in the eighth race over the straight five course, this for maiden four-year-olds and up.
Hat-trick seeker GOOD TO GO can catch his overnight allowance opponents at 1300 metres in the ninth race even though he can expect stiff opposition from CHOSEN ONE and the recent course winner BLACK THATCH in a field of 14.
Race 10, the Reggae Trophy over the straight five course, marks the third clash between reigning 'Horse of the Year' A KING IS BORN and the crack American sprinter LIL'COUNTRY BOY who is in receipt of 5.0kg on this occasion.
Bragging rights clearly go to A KING IS BORN, having outsprinted and humbled the then favourite and top weight LIL' COUNTRY BOY in the She's On Wheels Trophy over 1100 metres on July 24, a race run in near track record time of 1:04.2.
Both have worked exceptionally well in preparation for this race and it should be close between them. Still, I am taking the Philip Feanny-trained A KING IS BORN to make amends for his defeat (fourth) to stable-companion I'MSATISFIED in the Digicel Irish Jamaican Stakes Trophy on August 28 when bolting for 800 metres prior to the start and was unwisely allowed to run.
A KING IS BORN won over the straight in the smart time of 56.4 on July 10 and even under the heavy impost of 58.0kg, looks the one to beat with four-time champion Charles Hussey aboard.
The closing straight five race looks tailored for the recent course winner LA RUDE, but DRAMATICS and AWESOME MINISTER, both of whom relish the straight, should ensure he is extended.
SUPER-6 FANCIES
6) MOST WANTED/MINISTEROFFINANCE/LADY LAMMTARRA
7) ZAMA
8) INTROSPECTION/TROPICAL DREAMER/FIRSTLADYOFTHECITY
9) GOOD TO GO/CHOSEN ONE/BLACK THATCH
10) A KING IS BORN
11) LA RUDE/AWESOME MINISTER/DRAMATICS
