War Eagle, brilliantly ridden by apprentice Delano Lopez, won a sensational 81st running of the Boxing Day Barbados Derby in grand style to trigger pandemonium at the Garrison Savannah last night.
The three-year-old chestnut gelding, which is owned by K & C Stables, gave co-owner West Indies cricketer Kraigg Brathwaite his first Barbados Derby victory under the floodlights before a massive crowd on the good-to-firm track.
It was not an easy win for the favourite War Eagle, which won the second jewel of the Triple Crown –the Pinnacle Feeds Midsummer Creole Classic – by 19 lengths last month.
War Eagle had to be fully extended to overtake longtime leader Conflictofinterest and win by a length in a thrilling 2 000 metres race. The winning time was 2:08.1 minutes. (LY)
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