Bigdaddy to win on return
Bigdaddykool, the most successful three-year-old of last season, makes his four-year-old debut in the Legal Light Trophy (Grade One) at Caymanas Park today.
The Legal Light highlighter is the lone trophy race on the 10-race card and has attracted a small field of six runners for three-year-olds and upward going 1,820 metres for a purse of $1.3 million. Post time for the Legal Light is set for approximately 4:30 pm, with first start at 12:15 pm.
A master of the two-turn distances, the 1,820-metre extended sprint distance was one that escaped the clutches of the far-striding
Bigdaddykool, the bay gelded son of Sorrentino out of the Friendly Lover mare Beware Baby, during that period of his pristine form last season as a three-year-old.
Now returning from a well-earned rest of 112 days, Bigdaddykool is fresh and ready for battle, as is evidenced by his exercise gallops.
Included among the six Legal Light starters is the six-year-old chestnut horse Franfield, who edged out Bigdaddykool on the line by a neck in the Superstakes event last year, allowing him 6.0kg.
Franfield was, however, later disqualified and the race awarded to Bigdaddykool. Both will renew rivalry on this occasion with only a one kilogramme weight difference between them — Franfield topping the scales at 57.0 kg andBigdaddykool at 56.0 kg.
Both have worked well for today’s challenge and the trainer of Franfield, Richard Azan has noticeably made a switch of riders, calling up the more accomplished three-time champion jockey Shane Ellis in place of stable apprentice Bebeto Harvey; giving a very clear indication that the connections of Franfield are putting a safety measure in place to avoid a repeat of last year’s loss.
Notwithstanding, even with the increased weight from their last meeting, Bigdaddykool looks primed to go all the way on this occasion as trainer Anthony Nunes seems to have left no stone unturned for victory to not be determined in the Steward’s Room. What looks to be a virtual two-horse race could leave Houdini’s Magic, Brawn and the sly Hover Craft to toss up for the minor placings.
ONES TO WATCH
Race 1 – Mr Universe, Runallday, Loose Cannon
Race 2 – Connor, Mount Zion King, Brave Heart
Race 3 – Bubbling Kitten, Vision, Hello Lady
Race 4 – Princess Brianna, Light Brigade, Ocean Seeker
Race 5 – Bounce, Major Force, Kamali Star
Race 6 – Toot The Blues, Uncle Freddie, Rage Of The Angels
Race 7 – Henry The Second, Twilight Storm, Subbie
Race 8 – Nasdaq Princess, Wicked Tuff, Cheximakit
Race 9 – Bigdaddykool, Franfield, Brawn
Race 10 – Roman Spy, Ruby Rose, Warrior Princess