Cousins Liz and Richard Deane each won two races on yesterday’s Heritage Of The Garrison Savannah Historic Area Raceday card at the Garrison Savannah.
However, pride of the place went to Liz as she combined with owner Sir David Seale and stable rider Anderson Trotman to score first with Intrepid Dancer and then with Gold Cup winner Aristodemus.
It took the judges’ camera to separate Aristodemus and long shot runner Modimo in the feature Barbados Museum and Historical Society Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 120-140, and horses rated 119 and below over 1 800 metres.
The son of Giant Causeway out of Ethyl Mae had to work hard for the victory by a nose. Jockey Trotman was content to sit mid-pack behind the leaders Show Me The Money, Little Man Arran and Island Memories.
Fractions of 25.1 for the quarter, the half in 48.4 and three quarters of a mile in one minute 14.4 seconds proved ideal for Aristodemus who was having his first run since winning the Gold Cup on March 2.
Aristodemus, with black body, red sleeves and red cap, moved smoothly into a striking position after a mile to confront the long-time leader, Show Me The Money. In a matter of a few strides he went ahead to carry the field into the home stretch.
When they had all straightened up, Aristodemus looked the winner but Modimo, under jockey Antonio Whitehall, ran his best race since arriving to these shores back in late January. He closed steadily in the final furlongs but was just denied.
For Aristodemus, the finish line could not have come any sooner.
Show Me The Money, ridden by Damario Bynoe, had enough left in the tank to secure third position, while Indian Officer, partnered by apprentice Jarelle Beckles, gradually made up ground to take fourth.
Earlier in the day, Intrepid Dancer got the ball rolling for Hopefield Stables by handing in his maiden certificate striding home with the Strafford House Handicap over 1 800 metres.
Richard Deane landed with Aysha Syndicate’s Another Cool Cat who took the St Ann’s Fort Handicap for West Indian-bred maidens (fillies only) over 1 100 metres. She was given a patient ride on the front end by apprentice Beckles.
Deane’s other winner came in race six – the BTC Claimers Condition Race over 1 100 metres for three-year-old and older horses rated 0-45 optional claiming and also open to horses rated 46 and above claiming $5 000.
The A Team-owned Foxy Browne got the job done under the skilful guidance of jockey Antonio Whitehall.
The BTC season moves into its fifth day on Friday, July 5 with an evening card.
