SAINT COLUMBA (left), one of two winners for jockey Larris Allen, getting the better of SIR CHARLES (Richard Mitchell) to win the eighth race over 1100 metres in a driving finish at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Allen, who also won aboard the debutante RED CHRISTMAS in the sixth, guided home the 3-5 favourite SAINT COLUMBA by half length. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
THE PICK-9 proved elusive yet again at Caymanas Park on Saturday and the carryover to this Saturday, stands at a whopping $2.18 million.
Six punters with eight of nine winners received consolation prizes of $30,259.50 each. A pay-out in excess of $3 million looks a real possibility if the Pick-9 is caught on Saturday.
HI-JOE at 5-1 in the third race, DIAMOND KING at similar odds in the fourth, GUIDING LIGHT at 7-2 in the 10th and PRINCE MOHAWK at 5-1 in the closing race combined to make the Pick-9 uncatchable.
SUPER-6
Meanwhile, the Super-6 continues to be easy pickings for punters. On Saturday as many as 111 called correctly, each receiving $8,313.50.
Most Pick-9 players started on the wrong foot when the Vin Edwards-trained HI-JOE came from last to first, winning in a driving finish from the favourite ROSE BUD over 1700 metres.
The six-year-old horse, who is owned by the trainer's wife Monica, was well ridden by the very competent but underrated jockey Christopher 'Skinny' Fearon.
DIAMOND KING
In the very next race, DIAMOND KING floored the odds on the favourite RESTORIA'S SECRET in winning by 4-1/4 lengths over 1100 metres, despite top weight of 57.0kg.
The 4-y-o colt was ridden by in-form Paul 'Country' Francis who, if he remains focused, could be a strong contender for the jockeys' championship this year.
PRINCE MOHAWK, one of two winners for the former champion apprentice Kenyatta Davis, made it five in a row when out-bobbing the favourite TOCUMEN on the line to win the closing race for the Colin Melhado Memorial Cup over 1200 metres. Despite his 5-1 starting price, the son of Royal Minister had his fair share of supporters.
- O.C.
