The campaign in the Supreme Ventures Limited-sponsored Jamaica Two-Year-old Triple Crown Series continues today at Caymanas Park with the 11th running of the Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy, the second leg in the series.

Set at the fulcrum of the 11-race card, the unpretentious-looking field of nine native-bred juveniles headed by the unbeaten Patriarch will go postward over seven furlongs (1,400 metres) for a purse of $3.6 million. But it will not be any bonanza for the winner unless the victor digs deep; as some of the best two-year-olds are now carded.

Patriarch has done what is expected of him to win at this distance but word is out that he may have to withstand serious challenges from Another Vigorous and the late-blooming Commander Two.

All eyes will be on Another Vigorous, seeing that the connections have gone for the services of three-time champion jockey Dane Nelson to replace apprentice Dane Dawkins.

Both Another Vigorous and Patriarch have already accounted for Commander Two. Another Vigorous twice and Patriarch once. What is interesting to note is that both Patriarch and Commander Two have won over six furlongs (1,200m) in equal times of 1:12.0 minutes.

On the other hand, Another Vigorous has failed at the distance, albeit to Patriarch, in the first leg of the Two-Year-Old Triple Crown Series and could be hell-bent on making amends with the distance marginally increased.

Commander Two, a bay gelded son of Forest Danger out of the Western Classic mare Hurricane Michelle, showed on his last run, when winning by all of 12 lengths over six furlongs (1,200m) with little or no urging from his apprentice rider, that he will be competitive here.

That being so, since the colt’s last run it was disclosed he has been eating well, resting well, and has been likewise responding to the care of his handlers. If this is the case, then at this stage of his development trainer Patrick Taylor could not possibly ask for a better response than on the day he performs, as he would anticipate being ridden by the two-time jockeys’ champion Shane Ellis.

Another Vigorous has not competed since going down to Patriarch in the first leg of the series while apprentice ridden. He has, however, looked healthy in his exercise gallops and with the distance increased and the tongue tie added, a much better performance is guaranteed.

Patriarch, a bay colt by Casual Trick out of the Traditional mare Electrifying, going a little farther at six and a half furlongs (1,300m), galloped the first six furlongs (1,200m) in a spanking 1:12.0. Since his last race, trainer Anthony Nunes has confined his charge to more stamina-building gallops as his speed is not in question.

And rightly so, as what was noticeable in his last race was noticeable between the efforts, Commander Two and himself at the same point, was that Commander Two was increasing his speed, while Patriarch seemed to be diminishing in torque as he galloped farther forward.

This may not say much at this point but the Von White-owned bay gelding from his last run could provide ample competition for front-running Patriarch, with Another Vigorous waiting to pounce should Patriarch not live up to his connections’ expectations.

Any way one looks at the race before it is actually run, it should be nothing else than a three-way battle for the bulge between Patriarch, Another Vigorous and Commander Two.

And to add to the intrigue, should any runner outside the top three manage to enter the magic circle the winner could come from either Brandy with apprentice rider Jerome Innis from the stables of the trainer Wayne DaCosta, or Honey Ryda with Anthony Thomas from the stables of Richard Azan.

Both Brandy and Honey Ryda seem well suited to the extended trip, judging from their last runs.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Party Princess, Prince Sammo, Cat’s Rigger

Race 2 Lady V, Nuclear Force, Chenbuckchen

Race 3 Willodeen, Princess Kavel, Sunshine Cat

Race 4 No Pain No Gain, Moneyneversleeps, Richie’s Pik

Race 5 Conclusion, Nothingbutthebest, Golden Bullet

Race 6 Hot Ice, Storm Born, Gift Of Law

Race 7 Buzz Nightmare, Orpheus, Gary Glitter

Race 8 I ctus, Atomic Prince, KD Flyer

Race 9 T raditional Prince, Princess Emanuelle, Shining Light

Race 10 Patriarch, Another Vigorous, Commander Two

Race 11 Concur, Kaci, Red Parrot