Cash Pot boils over in Top Shelf 30-1 shocker
Top Shelf , one of six fillies in the line-up, created a huge upset in the 14th running of the Cash Pot ‘Only One For Me’ Trophy feature beating rivals by two lengths in the $3.25-million event at compelling odds of 30-1 at Caymanas Park yesterday.
The Graded Stakes race for native-bred two-year-olds over six furlongs (1,200m) was the first leg of the prestigious Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL)-sponsored ‘Triple Crown’ Series for the two-year-olds.
Breaking from the number two post, jockey Hakeem Pottinger — who has been having quite a revival of fortunes of late, settled Top Shelf in third position behind Trevor’s Choice (Gary Richards) and Casual Drink (Dane Dawkins) approaching the half mile (800m) marker.
Heading towards the final bend of the race, Top Shelf challenged Trevor’s Choice and Casual Drink for the lead, and with the momentum going her way, the far-striding filly began to edge away in the final furlong (200m). and although Casual Drink tried to rally, Top Shelf proved too strong by cruising home for the victory.
It was the second-consecutive victory for Top Shelf following her half-length win over Sweet Like Sugar over five furlongs (1,000m) on the round course two weeks ago.
Casual Drink finished second as the 3-5 favourite, with 9-1 shot Princess Annie (Jerome Innis) third and 5-2 Baltusrol (Dick Cardenas) fourth. The final time was a good 1:14.1 after splits of 23.1 and 47.2.
Top Shelf, a chestnut filly by Soul Warrior – First Choice, is owned by Superkids Racing Stables and trained by Patrick Fong.
The supporting co-feature, the $1.15 million — Fontainbleu Trophy, an Open Allowance event for three-year-olds and upward was won in a driving finish by the filly Fayrouz, winner of the Jamaica Oaks earlier this year.
Ridden by Dick Cardenas, Fayouz outbattled St Leger winner Marquesas (Dane Dawkins) by a head with Uncle Frank (Christopher Mamdeen) another five lengths adrift in third. The Anthony Nunes trainee won the seven-and-a-furlong (1,500m) event in a time of 1:31.4.
It was the third winner on the card for the Nunes-Cardenas combination, as they earlier teamed up with Ice Cold to win the eighth event over five-and-a-furlongs (1,100m) and then closed the programme with Adonis over the five-straight course (1,000m).
