Sotomayor, the 2016 two-year-old champion who just got beaten over a mile (1,600m) two weeks ago, will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when he takes on six rivals in a Restricted Stakes event at Caymanas Park today.

The race, which is confined to native-bred three-year-olds, native-bred four-year-olds non-winners of three other than, and imported three-year-old-and-upward non-winners of three and maidens, is positioned as the fifth race on the 10-race programme and is scheduled to go off at 2:45 pm. First post is at 12:30 pm.

All the runners have the capability to win here going the sprinters’ paradise distance of nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m), but Sotomayor had proven to be the stayer in the line-up and thus will be hard to deny this time around.

The four-year-old grey colt is, however, expected to get stiff competition from Peking Cruz and My Elle Belle, while the others — Uncle Frank and Gary Subraties’ Biblical Legend, Vice Royalty and Subbie — should play their part in the race.

Just beaten by Radical in a fast-run mile (1,600m) on April 25, Sotomayor — from the stables of Anthony Nunes — will relish this extended trip, and with his new running style the four-year-old grey colt will prove very hard to beat in this one.

Installed as the 8-5 favourite, Sotomayor came on strong in deep stretch only to be outdone by Radical by three parts of a length in 1:40.1.

Prior to that run, Sotomayor led almost every step of the way when winning an event confined to non-winners of three other than, over a mile (1,600m) in the same time of 1:40.1.

With this new surge in his career, in a show of versatility, and with this field expecting to chip a moderate mild pace, the Traditional– Runaway Julie offspring should notch his second win for the season. Shane Ellis replaces the suspended Dick Cardenas aboard Sotomayor.

The Richard Azan-trained Peking Cruz has been burning up the track in the mornings and should not be taken lightly in this one. It is understood that Peking Cruz will be using this race as preparation for the upcoming Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup, hence he is a very dangerous contender in this one.

The unbeaten chestnut colt will be attempting an extended trip for the first time, as he had only raced over the five-furlong (1,000m) straight course in his two career starts to date. Peking Cruz won both races impressively with times of 1:00.3 and 1:00.2, respectively, but needs to improve a lot on those efforts if he is to get the better of Sotomayor here. Peking Cruz gets Lasix for the first time and looks to be the lone speed in the race and, if left unmolested, could make all the running. Anthony Thomas will ride.

After two races over sprint distances, the American-bred My Elle Belle was stretched out to seven and a half fulrongs (1,500m) and the result was a length-and-a-half victory, beating Super Sparkle and Royal Aviator in a time of 1:34.0. This showed her liking for a distance of ground and she will have no problem at today’s distance. Even though My Elle Belle was beaten by 2000 Guineas winner Commander Two in her next start over the same distance by over five lengths, she ran an improving race with the final time being 1:32.3 and she came home in 1:33.3. Without a doubt, My Elle Belle will have an impact on the outcome of this race. Oneil Mullings remains in the saddle.

Ones to watch

Race 1) Like A Lady/Runjohnny Run

Race 2) Ricky Ricardo/Sendamessagetomama

Race 3) Also Correct/Counter Attack

Race 4) Smokescreem/The Nextbigthing

Race 5) Sotomayor/My Elle Belle

Race 6) Rally Baby/Song On Track

Race 7) Mr Pantheon/Unexpected

Race 8) Squit/Lola Grey

Race 9) Killer Bee/Ictus

Race 10) El Saldado/Double Deal