A mouth-watering three-year-old and upwards Overnight Allowance contest going 7 furlongs (1,400m) for the Allan E "Billy" Williams Memorial Trophy is set to bring the curtains down on tomorrow's nine-race card at Caymanas Park.
The 12-horse field is lined with a mixture of middle-distance sprinters and those who would have preferred a bit more ground which makes things all the more interesting, as they compete for the lion's share of a $1.14-million purse.
Supreme Racing Guide zones in on their chances.
1. BIG BIG DADDY: (6 dkb horse by Natural Selection – Just A Flutter) – A once prominent performer who went winless in 2022, but did have four second-place finishes and one third-place finish to his credit. Showed on his seasonal bow that he has maintained some semblance of form when finishing fourth behind American Lure of Lucy in the January 2 Fan Appreciation Day Trophy over 9 furlongs and 25 yards. Should give another capital effort without winning.
2. DADDY JONES: (5 grh by American Dance – Mete-orite) – Closed his 2022 campaign on a winning note, beating high claimers by 4 1/2 lengths over 7 1/2 furlongs (1,500m) on December 26. Did also put in some credible performances at the non-winner of four races level prior to that against a few of those he is scheduled to face tomorrow. Still, with the field this competitive and his one performance at this level nothing to write home about, Daddy Jones is again expected to be found wanting.
3. POSITIVE ID: (5 bh by Bern Identity – Bubble Gal Bubble) – Fairly consistent performer who won three races, complemented by four second and three third-place finishes from 18 starts last year. Already started the year on a positive note, closing well for second behind Lure of Lucy in that said Fan Appreciation Day event. Will be better for that run and though he would have liked it a bit longer, Positive ID should have no issues with the distance and only needs to avoid traffic to run these close.
4. BILLY WHIZZ: (5 chg by Northern Giant – Khadiliah) – Left backers with poor form last year, but has been pretty active at exercise since his fourth-place finish behind Perfect Brew and company on December 27. Often runs well when fresh and, as such, should relish a race of this nature as his season opener. Certainly expected to be up with the pace and once settled into his running, could leave rivals in his wake with that crippling half-mile kick.
5. THREE TIMES LUCKY: (5 chm by Northern Giant – Granville Greta) – Missing from action since her November run. Has not done much at exercise and is still yet to catch the pace of this level. Shouldn't factor in the outcome.
6. CRIMSON: (7 bg by Nuclear Wayne – Sarah Barracuda) – Another one of those late kickers who would have preferred it longer, though he failed to get going in time in the Fan Appreciation Day event, beaten almost 10 lengths back in fifth. While an improved effort could be on the cards, one can't foresee Crimson moving any earlier than he normally does to top this field.
7. SWEET MAJESTY: (5 bm by Soul Warrior – Bitter End) – Failed to make an impression in her last three races for 2022, but is known to produce a surprising run every now and again. This season opener could see one of those efforts come to the fore, even if only for a minor placing.
8. DHEAD CORNERSTONE: (4 bc by Bern Identity – Soul Of The Heart) – Youngest horse in the field, who like others has not shown much in his three outings at this level. Has been taken to task at exercise since placing eight in the Fan Appreciation Day race, but will require a big performance to turn the tables on his more fancied rivals.
9. RACE CAR (USA): (6 gr/rnh by Race Day –MC Duffie) – A late scratch from the Ian Levy Stakes race of December 31 and his form prior to that, leaves much to be desired, as he only registered two wins and a second-place finish in 11 starts. Not much to recommend where his presence at exercise is concerned, so it is left to be seen where Race Car is in terms of fitness and how he goes about business now back down in class.
10. UNRULY BOSS: (5 chh by Bern Identity – Force Factor) – Highly thought of campaigner, whose vein of form has been on the inconsistent side. Will have no issues with the journey for this his seasonal bow, but with a few familiar foes present, should be among those battling for the lesser shares.
11. THE GOOD WITCH (USA): (6 bm by Tale Of The Cat – Witch Craft) – Still searching for her first win on local soil, showed marked improvement when placing second behind Emperorofthecats over the 5-straight course on December 18 to end the year on high. However, she failed to replicate that performance over the same distance on her January 7 season opener. By all indications her wait for a win on local soil should be prolonged.
12. MARQUESAS: (8 bh by Coded Warning – Islamorada) – Veteran campaigner, who is getting on in age, but showed in at least two of his five outings last year that there is still enough in the tank to prove competitive when focused. That said, it is uncertain what frame of mind he will turn up in for tomorrow's engagement. A wait and see on this one.
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