Laban is the choice for Security Department Trophy feature
The Security Department Trophy will take centrestage on tomorrow’s nine-race schedule at Caymanas Park. The non-restricted Overnight Allowance race for three-year-olds and above will be contested over five furlongs (1,000m) straight with a purse of $1.25 million.
Below, the Jamaica Observer‘s The Supreme Racing Guide takes a close look at the 14 runners declared to face the starter and their chances of winning.
1. DUKE: (8 gr h by Casual Trick – Lady McBeth) – Has been disappointing in recent time. Last year, Duke raced 15 times and only won once, coming second four times and third four times. Duke should be at ease among these and should run another good race here; the only downside is that he will start from the number stall.
2. SNOWFLAKES: (6 gr m by American Dance – Miss Pasion) – Has been doing fairly well in her races. Snowflakes will not be disgraced here.
3. RHYTHM BUZZ: (4 b c by Buzz Nightmare – River Rhythm) – Capable sort who should not find this distance too sharp for him. A winning run is not on the cards for Rhythm Buzz here.
4. REGAL AND ROYAL (6 b h by Soul Warrior – Wap) – Has no realistic chance of winning this one.
5. SUPER DUPER: (6 b m by Natural Selection – Patara) – Has won over this distance twice in nine starts. Super Duper was a winner over this distance on September 24, 2023 in high claiming by 3 ¼ lengths in 1:00.0. He should find the going tough here.
6. OUTBIDDER: (5 b m by Savoy Stomp – Rumble) – Based on current form, Outbidder cannot be recommended for a winning run here.
7. LABAN: (7 b h by Sensational Slam – For Trixie) – Has been knocking at the door for some time now. Laban finished a good third behind Perfect Brew and Freedom Street over 7 furlongs (1,400m) on December 16 at the Open Allowance level. He steps down to contest this trophy and with a similar effort, should prove the horse to beat.
8. THE GOOD WITCH (USA): (7 b m by Tale of the Cat – Witch Craft) – Finished third by 4 ¼ lengths behind Morimoto and Snowflakes over this distance on December 17, 2023. The Good Witch is unlikely to accomplish the same here.
9. GENERATIONAL: (7 ch g by Fearless Vision – Electrifying) – Can be safely bypassed here.
10. GOD OF LOVE: (8 b g by Adore The Gold – Shanda D) – Capable runner who has definitely lost his mojo recently. God of Love‘s past three races were below average, but he is a lot better animal than those races suggested. God of Love‘s most recent notable performance occurred on September 9, 2023, when he finished third in the None Such Sprint over 6 furlongs (1,200m) behind She’s My Destiny and Runaway Algo. God of Love will be unsaddled in the winners’ enclosure if that effort is replicated. Note: Tongue-tie off.
11. JUSTIN BIDEN: (5 ch g by Lion Tamer – Wagon Wheel) – Did extremely well to reach this level. Justin Biden is going to be left behind here.
12. CURLIN’S AFFAIR: (c h h by Perfect Curlin – Nuclear Affair) – A Winner on last who is going to find repeating a very tall order.
13. YELLOWSTONE: ( 5 ch g by Sensational Slam – Awry) – Returns to competitive racing following a 158-day break. Yellowstone last competed on August 1, 2023 where he finished in third positioned behind Perfect Brew and God of Love over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m). He also goes well over the straight and with preparation going smooth; Yellowstone is going to make a brave bid here.
14. A GIFT FROM BEN: (5 ch m by Here Comes Ben – Sage’s Gift Box) – From this outside post, A Gift From Ben could go earning here.
