SPEED, class and redemption are set to collide at Caymanas Park this afternoon when six of the island’s best sprinters line up for the day’s feature — the $1.75-million None Such Sprint, a Graded Stakes/Open Allowance for three-year-olds and upward over six furlongs (1,200m).

The field may be small, but don’t let the numbers fool you as this is a loaded half-dozen, with last-start winners, recent Diamond Mile runners, and horses with enough early pace to make it a cracker from the gates.

All eyes, however, will be on the Jason DaCosta-conditioned Dothraki (USA). The five-year-old Into Mischief horse was simply too good last time, powering clear to win over 5½ furlongs (1,100m) on August 1 in 1:05.0 by a length. That performance stamped him as the horse to beat, and now with an extra half-furlong (100m) to negotiate, his connections believe he’s primed to do it again.

But if anyone thinks this is a coronation, think again. Stablemate California Crown was the one chasing Dothraki home that day, finishing third as Rainsville got up for second in the closing stages.

The five-year-old has gate speed to burn and is expected to go hard from the start. If Dothraki gives him an inch, California Crown is bred to take a mile — or at least 6 furlongs of it.

Then there’s Pack Plays (USA), trained by Ricardo Mathie. He was seventh in the Diamond Mile on July 25 over a trip that was clearly too far at one mile (1,600m). Back to a sprint and on firmer ground, the Stay Thirsty horse should be right in the mix. His tactical speed and class make him a real threat in this race.

Don’t count out Anthony Nunes’ Of A Revolution (USA), either. The seven-year-old MacLean’s Music horse also struggled to see out the Diamond Mile, finishing 10th. But cut back to six furlongs and his front-running style becomes a real weapon. If he gets an easy lead, he could be gone.

The other two will have to run the race of their lives. Another One comes in off a win but steps up sharply in class, while Is That A Fact (USA) is capable on his day but looks outgunned against this group.

The contest is positioned as the ninth event on the 10-race card with a post time of 5:05 pm. First race is at 11:50 am.

Ones to watch:

Race 1)
Jacaranda knight/Starlight Princess/Man From Bethany

Race 2)
Novio/Purosangue/Any Means

Race 3)
Prince Daniel/Native Alliance/Secret Mission

Race 4)
Password/Another Mission/Solo Black

Race 5)
Absolute Blue/Loyal Action/Sir Ganga Jamuna

Race 6)
Formalist/Lockdown/Prince Roy

Race 7)
Fidelity/Rockhampton/Dillsbury

Race 8)
D.O.K/Crown Court/El Capiton

Race 9)
Dothraki/Of A Revolution/California Crown

Race 10)
She’s That Girl/Linguist/Miss MoneyPenny