The War Zone Sprint Trophy, perpetuating the memory of an outstanding Triple Crown winner, will highlight today’s midweek card of 10 races at Caymanas Park.

The Restricted Stakes event is for native-bred three-year-olds and will see a field of 14 runners going over five-and-a-half furlongs (1,100 metres) for a $1-million purse. The War Zone is scheduled to close the programme at approximately 5:00 pm, with the first post at 12:20 pm.

The distance for the War Zone Sprint is so inviting to the entire field that, on the surface ,the race could prove a difficult proposition for choosing a winner.

Title-chasing trainer Anthony Nunes has three horses in the line-up — A.P.I, Milagro and Balazo — who are among the leading contenders for top honours.

Notwithstanding, it goes deeper by the presence of Malachi from the barn of trainer Gresford Smith, Armageddon from the stables of the champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, Cartel trained by Paul Charlton, KD Flyer and Arthur’s Dream from the stables of Gary Subratie, along with the Spencer Chung-trained Killer Bee.

Such a knotty, large field in action, good pace coupled with speed endurance should prevail in the end to make the call hugely competitive.

The Gresford Smith-trained Malachi fits the bill and should not be far away at the end. When ridden on last by Dane Dawkins, Malachi fell victim to Cartel going a bit farther, but before that he upended Loose Cannon twice — once over today’s distance and before that going six furlongs (1,200 metres), although breaking slowly and going wide. Those were solid runs.

Dane Nelson, who was aboard Loose Cannon when they met for the second time, has moved over to Malachi. And this should not be taken lightly when considering that after losing to Malachi Nelson returned shortly afterwards to pilot Loose Cannon to a resounding Stakes record victory going six-and-a-half furlongs (1,300m) on Diamond Mile Day on December 2.

Nunes’ runners all have worked well for the fight and will be coming guns blazing for this one. Dick Cardenas will be aboard A.P.I, Milagro to be ridden by Linton Steadman and Shane Ellis remains atop Balazo.

Cartel, with Jerome Innis in the tack, has not won over today’s distance in his eight career starts, but now under new management, packed the quality to do so here.

Armageddon, a bay colt, has been one of the disappointing three-year-olds from the champion trainer’s stables who had several opportunities to shine but has failed to do. By breeding, he is well suited to the trip and in an easier spot here, Armageddon could show more determination.

The son of Nuclear Wayne out of the Mr Nutcracker dam Bonsai will enter the fray with 54.0kg, his heaviest in his last eight starts. Preparation is not much to create excitement, but with a rudimentary equipment change and jockey Oneil Mullings making way for jockey Phillip Parchment, Armageddon should run well enough to earn a share.

Last but the least is Akash. The chestnut colt ran an enterprising third to Loose Cannon and Bilingual over the distance in September, and is now returning fairly fit after a 95-day retraining without his tongue tie with Oneil Scott in the tack.

The War Zone Sprint Trophy feature will be supported by an Overnight Allowance call and a two-year-old only maiden special weight contest.

The Overnight Allowance is a three-year-old and upward call going a mile (1,600m) with a field of six scheduled to face the starter, while the two-year-old race is a maiden special weight contest which will go down the five straight (1,000m) course with a field of six runners to answer the call.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 That’s The Man, Western Bull, Roman Spy

Race 2 Abogado, Runner, Copperfield

Race 3 Christilano, Dyna’s Pride, Aseh Soup

Race 4 Donas La Paz, Scar, Taranis

Race 5 Holy Light, Nothingbutthebest, Askaboutmee

Race 6 Machu Picchu, Playack, Wise Johnny

Race 7 Phineas, Lucky Stroke, Blue Dixie

Race 8 Jamaican Pharoah, Diosa De Oro, Mirabilis

Race 9 Uncle Frank, Silver Rocket, DM Cutie

Race 10 Malachi, Cartel, Armageddon