Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer 
IMPERIALIST (right), ridden by Shane Ellis for trainer Anthony Nunes, wins the eighth race over 1200 metres ahead of WILD GLITZ (Jason Simpson) at Caymanas Park last Saturday. IMPERIALIST won at odds of 5-2 in a field of 11. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
The three-year-old fillies (maidens) hold centre stage at Caymanas Park today when they contest the divided Eight Thirty Sprint over the straight five course.
Significantly, this race marks the start of the three-year-old campaign leading up to the season's first classics, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas on April 5.
Due to the large number of entries the race had to be divided into two sections with 10 starters declared in each. Among the starters are a number of newcomers and indications are that one of them will win either section, as several are pretty forward in condition.
In division I, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta saddles the well bred HOME TOWN GIRL, a bay filly by Alisios out of the 1994 Oaks winner Habitual, while trainer Desmond Shand sends out his newcomer FIRST EDITION, a medium build grey filly by Law Of The Sea out of Bow Creek, which makes her a full sister to stable-companion JET SKI D'OR, a recent dual winner over the straight course.
These two can expect worthwhile opposition from the more experienced QUEEN OF THE SEA who has shown promise in two races under the care of trainer Wilfred Chin.
However, it is expected to come down to HOMETOWN GIRL under visiting Canada-based Jamaican-born jockey Kirk Johnson and FIRST EDITION with senior jockey Clive Lynch aboard.
Both have caught the eye going through their paces in preparation for the race, but it is FIRST EDITION who catches our fancy, especially over the straight course.
Division II should come down a three-cornered tussle among the well-advanced debutantes LADY LIZ, PASS LINE and MARIA ELENA, along with BALLROOM DANCER (Lasix administered) who has shown definite ability in three starts and has worked well in preparation for this race.
Highly competitive
Trainer Gary Subratie saddles the well-trained LADY LIZ (grey filly by He'stherealthing-English Harvest) who should prove highly competitive under former champion jockey Shane Ellis, while trainer Dwight Chen sends out MARIA ELENA, a chestnut filly by Royal Minister out of Sophisticated Mama who has shown good speed at exercise and should make a brave bid with Richie Mitchell astride.
The one we like best, however, is PASS LINE, an attractive bay filly by Vanadium out of Setuporgetup from the stables of Percy Hussey, who has been doing really well with his young horses.
To be ridden by 'Hall of Famer' Charles Hussey, PASS LINE has looked the most forward at exercise, galloping five furlongs from the gates in a brisk 1:00.1 on Wednesday, January 16, the first four in 46.4. She came back last Monday morning to clock 1:01.0 out of the straight, looking quite easy in the process.
With her preparation complete, PASS LINE should start her career on a winning note.
Other firm fancies on the card are HEART OF GOLD in the first race, ALFALLO in the fourth, OUTSTANDING in the fifth, FRANKIE MOREFIRE in the sixth and FIRE D TRAINER over old rival BACK POCKET in the 11th.
