The 23rd running of the Sweet Ruckus Stakes will highlight a three-trophy 10-race card to jump start the Christmas holiday week of racing at Caymanas Park today.

A Graded Stakes call for native-bred and imported two-year-olds, the Sweet Ruckus has attracted a small but interesting field of six runners going 1,400 metres for a purse of $950,000.

The event looks certain to be won by either Bubbling Kitten or Blue Dixie, and being carded as Race #3, is set to go to post at approximately 1:30 pm, with first post at 12:30 pm.

These interestingly bred fillies have met once before with Bubbling Kitten getting off the first salvo of shots to win by all of six-and-a-half lengths.

Blue Dixie, who was the howling 1-5 favourite for the 1,200 metres caper, was slowly away and also suffered a bit of bumping at the start. She, however, recovered sufficiently to be second and gaining on Blubbling Kitten.

Despite the setback by

Blue Dixie at the start she proved no match for the winner. However, with reports of re-programming, the administering of Lasix and the mount of the champion jockey Dane Nelson, a much better showing is expected.

A bay filly bycSky Mesa out of the Holy Bull mare Dixieland Bull,Blue Dixie is trained by Gary Subratie for owner Micdon.

Not extensively prepared but looking fluent in her reprogramming scampers, she looks certain to be closer this time around and should enjoy the slightly longer trip.

Prepared for racing by Philip Feanny, the 14-time champion trainer and a leading breeder of classic material, Bubbling Kitten is by Blue Pepsi Lodge out of Shanda D by the D’Wildcat and the increased distance should not affect her one bit.

She looked even better coming into the race than before in her exercise gallops and with the extended trip no problem, could use her speed to post-to-post winning advantage, especially with Wesley Henry aboard.

However, with Nelson replacing Omar Walker atop Blue Dixie, Henry’s rating and timing on Bubbling Kitten will have to be impeccable.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Free Range (Richard Cole)

Race 2 Sir Raja Baba (Bebeto Harvey)

Race 3 Blue Dixie (Dane Nelson)

Race 4 Smart Train (Dane Nelson)

Race 5 Sure Man (Melissa Ward)

Race 6 Messithegreat (Ian Spence)

Race 7 Cruicial Valour (Javaniel Patterson)

Race 8 Roving Star (Jodeien Anderson)

Race 9 Well Blessed (Paul Francis)

Race 10 Javine (Oneil Mullings)