After a break of seven weeks, action in the fast lane is set to return to the Garrison Savannah today when the Barbados Turf Club’s third racing season gets going at 12:30 p.m.
The excitement will be stretched over nine races, with 113 horses having been entered for the Barbados Thoroughbred Breeders Association (BTBA) Race Day.
The main attraction will be Race 7 – BTBA Breeders’ Classic, a Grade 1 event for Barbadian-bred three-year-olds and older creoles competing over 1 800 metres, with nine horses entered.
Two races before that, the two-year-olds will have their say in the Elliot Williams Memorial Juvenile Breeders’ Championship Stakes And Trophy over 1 100 metres.
Although only eight horses are down to face the starter, this clash of the island’s top juveniles promises to be something special.
Vanity Affair, with two wins and a second under her belt, will eyeball The Price Is Right, who recorded two wins on the trot by turning away the challenge of Vanity Affair.
There is also another winner entered – Nekitta – with the other five having all shown glimpses of ability, which can only add to the intrigue.
With five sprint races on the card, Race 8, the Nicodemus Trophy Handicap for three-year-olds and older horses rated 72-95 and open to horses 71 and below over 1 100 metres, should be a scorcher.
Top weight of 133 pounds goes to the Robert Peirce-trained Cavaichi. Since arriving here last year for the Gold Cup, he is yet to taste victory after six efforts.
Captain Sully shares the top weight. However, since he is not a regular at this trip, his two stablemates offer better options.
Must Be The Money, handicapped at 132 pounds, will have to run out of his skin to get the win here.
Janaki (127 pounds), A. P. Vincero (128) and Run Alke Run (132) should all have a say in the final outcome while the more youthful Rock Forever (118) and Wild Fire (113) will be looking to cause an upset.
The first route race on the card, Race 4 – the Bushy Park Trophy Handicap for three-year-olds and older horses rated 55-75 and open to horses rated 54 and below over 1 800 metres – looks very interesting.
At the top of the weight scale is the Lewin Godding-owned Lune De Barachois, shouldering 130 pounds. It certainly will be interesting watching her attempt this trip.
Victor Ludorum, who takes 129 pounds, might find the ground and distance against him. Local Speed will appreciate the trip, and with little or no speed to contend with, only his weight should be a cause for concern.
Grace Chapel (126) and Heavenly Angel (123) have both been performing below standard and can rekindle some much needed form in here.
Of the others, Uncle Jerry (126) and Steppin Razor (118) both recorded wins last time around and will want a repeat for their respective connections.
