Owner Joseph Duany

'Horse of the Year' MIRACLE MAN faces his stiffest task tomorrow as Jamaica's lone representative in the US$100,000 Confraternity Classic over nine furlongs for four-year-olds and up at El Commandante racetrack, Puerto Rico.

MIRACLE MAN, to be ridden by Florida-based Panamanian lightweight jockey Cecelio Penaldo, has been in Puerto Rico since Monday, November 20, and spent the first seven days in quarantine.

The big chestnut colt was accompanied to Puerto Rico via charter flight by his trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams along with the JRC's chief vet, Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett, who returned to Jamaica the following day.

Quietly confident

According to the colt's owner/breeder Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany, all is fine with MIRACLE MAN.

"Billy (Williams) said he came out of quarantine in good condition and after doing some light workouts for the first couple of days, his preparation has been stepped up even though last Friday it rained heavily in Puerto Rico and the track was sloppy.

"From the daily reports I have received from the trainer via telephone, Miracle Man is ready to rumble on Saturday and we are quietly confident he will do Jamaica proud.

"Horsemen in Puerto Rico have been impressed by his size and they are expecting a good run from him with the light impost, even though we hear that the Mexican horse is the one to beat," said Duany who left the island yesterday to join Williams and the groom, Anthony McLeod.

MIRACLE MAN, who is unbeaten in his last 10 starts (nine this season), will carry a mere 49.5kg owing to an allowance of 4.5kg given to horses from countries that have never won the race which is open to horses from Central America and the Caribbean. He has drawn post position four in a field of 11.

Should MIRACLE MAN win, his owner would receive US$58,000 (or JA$3.7 million).

The official Jamaica delegation is headed by Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) chairman, Rudolph Muir and includes director of racing and chief steward Lloyd Cobran in his capacity as secretary of the West Indian Thoroughbred Racing Association, and Dr. Bartlett.

Efforts are being made by CTL to carry the race live for the benefit of racing fans at Caymanas Park and its 60-odd off-track stations islandwide.

However, CTL racing secretary, Denzil Miller Jr. said it will not be carried for betting purposes.

- O.C.O