Lui Chie Poo Trophy takes centre stage at Caymanas Park
Fans are in for an exciting afternoon of racing at Caymanas Park, with nine races on tap and the spotlight firmly on the Lui Chie Poo Trophy, an eight-furlong feature named in honour of the 1988 Triple Crown winner conditioned by legendary trainer Philip Feanny.
This year’s edition of the race has drawn a quality field, and the presence of several top trainers including Feanny, along with Gary Subratie, Anthony Nunes, and Patrick Lynch ensures a compelling contest.
Leading the Subratie charge are Blue Vinyl and Sistren Treasure (United States of America), both returning after solid performances in the Labour Day Trophy on May 23. Blue Vinyl, to be ridden by apprentice jockey Demar Williams, came up just a neck short to finish in second over seven furlongs. Blue Vinyl looks well suited for the added distance.
Sistren Treasure, Blue Vinyl’s stablemate, wasn’t far behind in fourth in the Labour Day Trophy race and is expected to be better off at this longer trip. With only 113 pounds and veteran Paul Francis in the irons, she looms as a serious danger, especially if the early fractions are brisk.
Feanny, no stranger to big-race success, sends out Fearless Force (USA), a recent front-running winner going seven furlongs. Fearless Force will be ridden by Delory Beharie.
Nunes fields Immeasurable Joy, who finished seventh in the Labour Day Trophy race. With Wesley Henry taking the ride, she is expected to improve with fitness and the longer trip. Immeasurable Joy’s stablemate Mr Senator, to be ridden by Romane Gordon, appears more likely to play a supporting role.
Trainer Patrick Lynch adds further depth to the field with Atlantic Convoy (Canada), who has flashed ability in the past and could make things interesting if back to his best. His second entrant, Lion Charmer, seems to face an uphill task against this group.
The day’s co-feature, the Valbert Marlowe Memorial race, also promises fireworks. The spotlight falls on the progressive
Captain Sparrow, trained by Anthony Nunes and partnered by Shane Ellis. A solid third in the 2024 Jamaica Derby, the colt is expected to thrive over the extended nine-furlong trip in a compact field of seven.
— Robert Bailey
