Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

Left: Distinctly Irish is driven out by five-time champion jockey Winston Griffiths to beat stable companion Herecomesfudgie, in the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup - the supporting feature - over 2400 metres at Caymanas Park, last year. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer   Right: Andrew Ramgeet, aboard RUN ALDEENO, after winning the $1.5 million Red Stripe 2-Y-O Breeders' Stakes over 1400 metres on November 11. - file

The third and final race in the $7.5 million Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) 2-Y-O Stakes over 1600 metres is the principal feature on today's well-supported 12-race Boxing Day programme at Caymanas Park. Post time is 11:30 a.m.

While the season's native-bred juveniles will be on show in the 2-y-o championship race which offers a purse of $3 million, some of the best distance horses in the country are down to contest the $1.25 million Harry Jackson Memorial Cup graded stakes supporting feature over 2400 metres, including ante-post favourite DISTINCTLY IRISH with customary pilot Winston Griffiths riding for 14-time champion trainer Philip Feanny.

Among his rivals are this year's Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) and St. Leger winner ALLIEDFORCE who is in receipt of 7.5kg from the 2004 'Horse of the Year' and should make it pretty close between them.

Meanwhile, a much more compe-titive race is undoubtedly the Supreme Ventures 2-Y-O Stakes to be contested by 11 starters. The star-studded field includes STRONG HOPE and MUCHO GUSTO, respective winners of the first and second races in the lucrative SVL series, over 1200 metres and 1400 metres.

These two along with MARK TO MARKET, ALNASKRA, RUM TALK and RUN ALDEENO will more than likely decide the outcome.

Upset victory

Trained by returning champion Wayne DaCosta, RUN ALDEENO with United States-based Jamaican jockey Andrew Ramgeet aboard, scored an upset victory in the $1.5 million Red Stripe 2-Y-O Breeders' Stakes over 1400 metres on November 11, when getting up on the wire to beat stable-companions MARK TO MARKET and STRONG HOPE, not to mention MUCHO GUSTO in a blanket finish.

However, the Anthony Nunes-trained MUCHO GUSTO came back to turn the tables, not only on RUN ALDEENO but MARKET TO MARKET and STRONG HOPE, in the $2.5 million Pick-3 Challenge Trophy over 1400 metres, a race run in sloppy conditions caused by heavy mid-afternoon showers.

Ridden by champion jockey Brian Harding for Barbadian owner Elias Haloute, MUCHO GUSTO (always prominent) caught and beat long-time leader ALNASKRA by a length with RUN ALDEENO under Dane Nelson finishing a farther 4-1/4 lengths away third, as MARK TO MARKET and STRONG HOPE finished down the track, both apparently disliking the muddy conditions. MUCHO GUSTO has trained really well for this race and will only go down fighting.

Preference, however, is for RUN ALDEENO, now reunited with his winning rider Ramgeet. The roan gelding by Footloose II out of Chikiney was too early for his own good in the Pick-3 Challenge Trophy and on top of that did not get the clearest of runs early in the straight.

Moreover, RUN ALDEENO has been taken to task at exercise in his preparation and now expected to get a patient ride from Ramgeet, his final rattle should prove hard to withstand.

Other firm fancies on the card which feature visiting US-based jockeys Ramgeet, Allen Maragh, Emilio 'Bimbo' Rodriquez and Florida-based Panamanian jockey Cecilio Penalba (who recently won the Confraternity Classic aboard Miracle Man in Puerto Rico) are: GLORIOUS ONE in the 3rd, MARKET BRIDLE in the 5th, BLACK RIVER in the 6th, DISTINCTLY IRISH in the Harry Jackson, SUPER NATURAL in the 9th and PRIME SUNDOWN in the 12th.