CALCULUS, who was voted champion stayer for 2022, makes his seasonal debut as the favouirte in the renewal of $1.5-million Miracle Man Cup, the main feature event on today’s 10-race programme which honours the champions from last year at Caymanas Park.

Calculus raced 13 times last year, winning five, finishing second three times, and finishing third twice. All of Calculus‘s wins have come over long distances — eight furlongs (1,600m), nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m), nine and a half furlongs (1,900m) twice, and 10 furlongs (2,000m) — making him the safest bet to take home this trophy race.

Although his last three runs were off-the-board efforts, Calculus packs the class and talent to blow these away with minimum fuss. Calculus was seventh by over 20 lengths behind Atomica‘s record-setting run in the Jamaica Cup on November 12, 2022, over nine and a half furlongs. He then finished fifth by just under three lengths behind Excessive Force in the Mouttet Mile (one-mile) on December 3, and then closed out the year with a sixth-place finish by over 10 lengths behind Mahogany in the Ian Levy Cup on December 31 over eight and a half furlongs (1,700m).

Though asked to allow weight all around, Calculus, who will tote 57.0kgs (126lb), looks like a hard nut to crack here and is poised to get off the mark as a five-year-old. Look for Calculus to be close to the pace before making his move approaching the distance, for an easy win.

Trainer Gary Subratie called upon the services of Robert Halledeen to do riding honours, replacing the more accomplished Shane Ellis who was aboard the bay horse in his last eight races.

The Miracle Man Cup, a three-year-old and upwards Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest that honours one of the greatest race horses to grace the track at the Park, is positioned as the seventh event with a post time of 3:25 pm. First race is at high noon.

Based on class and talent, Jason DaCosta’s trio of Miniature Man, Lure of Lucy, and King Arthur are the likely runners to follow Calculus home.

Miniature Man finished fourth behind I’ve Got Magic, Duke, and stablemate Lure of Lucy in the Alexander Hamilton Trophy over one mile on January 28. Miniature Man should appreciate this extended trip and could do well, that is finishing in the top four. Oshane Nugent will ride at 51.0kgs (112lb)

Lure of Lucy ran well to finish second by a half-length behind Laban in the Reggae Month Trophy over the straight (1,000m) course on February 18, which can be considered a pipe-opener for the Miracle Man. Lure of Lucy was a three-length winner in the Fan Appreciation Day Trophy over 9 furlongs and 25 yards on January 2. That run showed that the American-bred runner has no problem going around the lawn and is expected to do well. Lure of Lucy is expected to lead from the start. She will have to be caught, as claiming apprentice Jordan Barrett will ride at 46.0kgs (101 lb).

King Arthur, a former Jamaica Derby winner, seems to have lost his groove. King Arthur on his given day could challenge for top honours but he needs to be in the right frame of mind. However, the distance is to his liking and he cannot be taken out of the reckoning. Omar Walker has the leg up at 51.0kgs.

Sweet Majesty and Positive ID, who make up the field, have no chances whatsoever of winning this one. They should be safely bypassed.

Ones to watch:

Race 1) Unruly Dude/Gracefully Made/Wowtastic

Race 2) Baton Rouge/Mister Mandate/Den Street

Race 3) Stranger Danger/Giant Wheeler/Custer

Race 4) Champion Bubbler/Thalos/Luksol

Race 5) Rhythm Buzz/Modern Miracle/Savvy Girl

Race 6) Regal and Royal/Ianzha Links/Magical Mood

Race 7) Calculus/Lure of Lucy/Miniature Man

Race 8) Nuttin But Trouble/Sensational Storm/Chiney Music

Race 9) Blue Persuasion/Just Move In/Empress Nakelia

Race 10) Solid Approach/XY Soul/Just An Illusion