Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
KEELER, running at odds of 8-1 with Larris Allen aboard, disposes of long-time leader WHEELS OF LAW (Kerry-Gayle Robinson) to win the 10th race for the Lotto Championship Trophy over 1200 metres for $180,000 claimers at Caymanas Park last Saturday, May 24. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Two trophies are at stake on today's Caymanas Park 11-race programme, including the W. 'Billy' Pick Memorial Cup feature (claiming $325,000-$295,000) over 2000 metres, for which seven have been declared.
Also on the well-supported card is Race No. 5 in the CTL Claiming Series ($220,000 and less) over the straight five course, to be contested by 14 starters.
In the principal feature, NAVAJOJOE takes a drop in class in quest of the 'Billy' Pick Memorial Cup and although he can expect fierce competition from the consistent SHAHID, CAPTAIN BONE and tardy starter HIGH GRADE, now has everything in his favour.
Fast-finishing
NAVAJOJOE underlined his well-being on May 3, a fast-finishing second to TOUCHDOWN over 1700 metres, a race in which the highly-fancied SHAHID, in receipt of 2.0kg, stayed on to finish 5-1/2 lengths third.
Subsequently, NAVAJOJOE stepped up in class and was not disgraced when finishing five lengths fifth (after being slowly into stride) to DIAMOND EXPRESS over 1500 metres on a $420,000 claiming tag.
Now down in class and the distance extended, the Ryan Darby-trained NAVAJOJOE with back-to-form Larris Allen again in the saddle, looks the right choice.
Both CAPTAIN BONE and SHAHID have won races this season and are ideally suited to the distance as well. By virtue of their consistency, they should ensure NAVAJOJOE is extended up the lane.
Although the Robert Darby-trained SHAHID will have the services of champion jockey Omar Walker and is sure to run well, the bigger danger to NAVAJOJOE must be CAPTAIN BONE, who runs from the convenient mark of 52.0kg with Oneil Mullings aboard.
Meanwhile, Race No. 5 in the CTL Claiming series promises even keener competition, as no fewer than six of the 14 starters have good claims.
Hat-trick seeker
The winner should come from the following group TUTOR, CELEBRA-TION TIME, MAN OF THE SEA, SPLINTER MAGIC, SHAKE YOUR BOOTY and the bang in form hat-trick seeker, MUSTANG.
The one I like best is TUTOR, who has an enviable record over the straight five course. Trained by Dennrick Chambers, the seven-year-old gelding signalled his return to form on April 19 when finishing a close second to MAN OF THE SEA over the course and also ran well in his subsequent race behind VENOM over 1200 metres. Now back over his pet trip, TUTOR gets the nod over MUSTANG and CELEBRATION TIME.
Other firm fancies on the card are RIGGED TO WIN in the second race over 1300 metres, the ideal trip for this consistent filly. Also getting the nod are UNLEADED, now dropped in class and venturing over his favourite trip (1820m) in the third, MR. BUTCHER in the fifth, recent winner ACCOMPONG to repeat in the seventh and ROYAL DREAMER in the ninth.
