Poker Star faces tough rivals in ‘None Such’ dash
A lively and rambunctious programme of speed spiced up by a 2,000-metre jaunt will continue the frolicking with racing entertainment, which will be highlighted by two trophy races at Caymanas Park today.
The None Such Sprint Trophy (Grade One) is the principal call on the card and the Terremoto Trophy, one of two races for native-bred two-year-olds, that is expected to add to the teeming racing entertainment.
The None Such Sprint is the penultimate call on the card and a cradle of six truculent Grade One horses is expected to answer the post call, going 1,200 metres for a purse of $1,200,000, at approximately 4:50 pm.
The first post call is at 12.05 pm.
Separate and apart from the None Such Sprint Trophy (Grade One) principal call, two two-year-old races are also carded as the Two-Year-Old season begins to gather momentum with the running of the Terremoto Trophy race, the first non-winners of two calls for native-bred juveniles going 1,000 metres round for a purse of $850,000. Six will face the starter here.
The other is a maiden special weight call for native bred two-year-olds only, going 800 metres straight for a purse of $800,000 and the first event on the programme. Eight starters have been declared.
In the Terremoto Trophy, the Richard Azan-trainednMoney Magnet should continue on winning ways after her five-length victory in a maiden event on August 27, going 1,100 metres in 1:07.3 minutes. She has been training very well coming into this race, and from a level break, should be in front at the end. Very Classic, Storm Princess and Lady Faye should be her main rivals.
Meanwhile, heading the field of hot steppers is Poker Star, winner of last year’s Caribbean Sprint Championship. A four-year-old bay gelding by Liquidity out of the Take Me Out mare Buyabook, Poker Star is owned by Alexander Haber and trained by Wayne DaCosta.
After finishing among the top six positions of the Jamaica Derby as a three-year-old, the speedy gelding was subsequently confined to sprint distances, and despite ditching his rider at the start of the Lady Geeta Trophy earlier this year,
Poker Star has lost only once in seven races. That defeat was toSeeking My Dream, his reigning Horse of the Year stable companion, in the Eros Trophy going 1,400 metres in July.
Since that loss, Poker Star is now returning from a 63-day respite up in weight with 57.0kg and will do so in a lively racing shape to face a formidable group of sleight of foot horses. Among his main adversaries are Buzz Nightmare (52.0kg),Franfield (51.5kg) and stablemate Perfect Neighbour (48.0kg). However, in spite of top weight, the senior Grade One runner will not go down without a grand fight.
Poker Star has beaten a number of runners present over varying sprint distances in the past, and many will have to produce an outstanding performance to prevent him from returning to the winner’s enclosure for the fourth time this season.
Omar Walker, who rode
Poker Star to victory twice in his last four starts, will again ride in place of regular jockey Robert Halledeen.
Buzz Nightmare, a four-year-old bay colt by Into Mischief out of the Dance Brightly mare Queen Of Battle, has shown massive improvement since leaving his sporadic three-year-old days behind. At four years old, he is on the hunt for a four-timer and has demonstrated in no uncertain manner that he stands a lively chance of turning the tables onPoker Star, who handed him his last defeat on January 2 on turning four.
Ones To Watch
Race 1 Sotomayor
, Mr Universe, Simpliclassical
Race 2 Money Magnet, Storm Princess, Lady Faye
Race 3 Acapulco, Major Force, Piano Man
Race 4 Megatron, Maria’s Glory, Abogado
Race 5 Mr Doitbetta, Penelope, Will In Charge
Race 6 Rules Of The Cat, Alison B, Awesome Cat
Race 7 Santana, Medical Instinct, Elvira
Race 8 Homecoming, Party City, Bridled Princess
Race 9 Action Man, A Thousand Stars, Taranis
Race 10 Poker Star, Perfect Neighbour, Buzz Nightmare
Race 11 Raj Put Raja, Bay Commander, Miss Feisty