Western Warrior looks good
With no sponsored race carded, a knotty-looking field of mixed Restricted Stakes individuals — imported three-year-olds and upward (NW3 and Maidens), native-bred four-year-olds (NW3 O/T) and native-bred three-year-olds — will take centre stage on a 10-race programme at Caymanas Park today.
The Richard Azan-trained three-year-old bay colt Capturemyship, who is in search of a third-consecutive victory, is among a colourful field of 11 experienced runners scurrying over a mile (1,600m) for a purse of $930,000.
The event is the penultimate call on the card and is scheduled to go to post at approximately 4:55 pm, with the first post at 12:25 pm.
Capturemyship is the least experienced among his peers but the most consistent, having carved three good wins and a second-place finish from four career starts this season. His last run going seven and a half furlongs (1,500m) was his most inviting, covering the distance in a good 1:33.0 minutes for a five-and-a-half-length winning margin drawing off. Capturemyship has looked good in his exercise gallops coming into the race and now, going half-furlong (100m) farther, this event looks a cinch.
Shane Ellis, the two-time champion jockey who has navigated the Adore The Gold colt out of the Alisios dam Mayken Joy over his four previous trips, will again remain in the tack.
Trainer Anthony Nunes has a four-pronged attack in the race — Bilingual, to be ridden by Dick Cardenas; Musketoon, under Javaneil Patterson; Dontae with Anthony Thomas; and Follow Back A Me with Wesley Henry in the irons. All four runners get the distance with the minimum of fuss. Bilingual had finished second to Marlene My Love in the Jamaica Oaks and also second to She’s A Maneater in the 1,000 Guineas. Yet she has not won going farther than seven furlongs (1,400m), when she accounted for Night Light who is also carded.
Dontae will just love the distance, and with only a feather of 49.0kg (108 lb) should be around when this is being decided. Stablemate Follow Back A Me is somewhat disappointing, but the distance is right. An improved effort will not surprise.
Sometimes the last should be first and the hard-knocking Western Warrior, who seems to be as fit as hands can make him, is second to none to win this. Oneil Mullings will ride the Fitznahum Williams-trained Western Warrior with just 51.0kg (112lb) to carry.
This son of Western Classic out of the Law Of The Sea mare Littlerichgirl has great promise but getting to the finish line on a consistent basis has not always been attainable. However, with the big boys away and the weight in his favour coupled with a distance that is to his liking in this group, Mullings should have his mount balanced in a handy position in the drive for the wire when this is being decided.
Ones To Watch
Race 1 Quick Chic, Nafeesa, Money Move
Race 2 Uncle Vinnie, Proud Of Nuclear, Regal Prospector
Race 3 Coded Secret, Profile, Party Princess
Race 4 Man In Blue, Nasdaq Princess, Vespers
Race 5 Woodhouse, So Smooth, Dreamingofanna
Race 6 Mighty Crown, Mirabilis, Chrisanli
Race 7 Tarantino, Scar, No Money Friend
Race 8 Red Parrot, Clearly Ours, Your Emissary
Race 9 Western Warrior, Capturemyship, Dontae
Race 10 Mister Bones, Executive Charm, My Way