After being forced to sit out his last scheduled race on February 8 due to illness, Wall Street Trader is poised to make a triumphant return to the track in the $1.25-million Ash Wednesday Trophy main event today.

Despite the setback, all indications are that the six-year-old American-bred dark bay/brown gelding has fully recovered and is ready to dominate the competition in the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds over six and a half furlongs (1,300m).

Clearly the horse to beat, Wall Street Trader boasts an impressive resume that makes him the top contender in the field, having won three times, finishing second five times, and finishing third once from 11 starts on local soil. Although he experienced a disappointing outing in the Mouttet Mile on December 7 where he finished 12th by 13 ½ lengths, he quickly rebounded with a strong second-place finish behind Pack Plays at six and a half furlongs (1,300m) on January 25.

That display of resilience and determination has only strengthened his trainer’s confidence in the gelding’s abilities. With a clean bill of health and a strong training regimen under his belt, Wall Street Trader is primed to deliver a commanding performance in the Ash Wednesday Trophy, especially since he is down in class.

The contest is position as the ninth and final event on the day with a post time of 5:35 pm, but the first race is at 12:15 pm.

The sport of horse racing is notorious for its unpredictability, where upsets can occur at any moment. While
Wall Street Trader appears almost invincible, there’s always a chance that the Rowan Mathie trainee might not bring his A-game, leaving the door ajar for other contenders to seize the opportunity.

Among the runners poised to capitalise on any mishap by Wall Street Trader are champion two-year-old from last season Unspun, last year’s Jamaica Oaks winner Banadura, the rapidly improving Allegiance, and the consistently strong Sensational Move.

Unspun is on a three-race winning streak but he faces older horses for the first time. Unspun, who is now taking orders from trainer Norman Smith, is expected to be competitive.

Banadura finished a strong second behind Inspire Force at five and a half furlongs (1,100m) on February 15 and should appreciate the added distance. Banadura is a contender to watch.

Allegiance was an impressive winner over one mile (1,600m) on February 22. Allegiance defeated competitors by five and a quarter lengths in 1:41.3 easily. Based on his class, talent, and running style, he could hit the board here. Allegiance is also horse to watch.

Sensational Move was expected to win on last but finished third behind Inspire Force and Banadura at five and a half furlongs. He should have no problem with the added distance and could impact the outcome.
Sensational Move is a contender to watch closely here.

Ones to watch:

Race 1) Heiroffire/Bad Investment/Stanislaus

Race 2) Linguist/Margarita/Queen Latepha

Race 3) I Dream Again/Brompton Boy/Papi Uso

Race 4) Pineapple/So Beautiful/Adira

Race 5) Let Him Fly/Expeditious/Big Argument

Race 6) Girlythebutcher/Hail The Queen/Ruby’s Light

Race 7) Medal Award/Shewhohasnoname/Jack Daniel

Race 8) Bulletproofcoffee/Flybluejet/Loyal Action

Race 9) Wall Street Trader/Sensational Move/Unspun