With the condition and distance quite suitable to his style of running, the Rowan Mathie-conditioned God of Love looks the prime candidate to take home the top-rated Open Allowance contest, the main attraction on the 10-race card at Caymanas Park today.
God of Love is a very consistent runner who is always on the premises when races are being decided. With no real speed in the line-up to go with God of Love if he decides to take up the running from early, he could run rivals into the ground.
Bred by Adore The Gold out of the D'Wilcat mare Shanda D, God of Love last won a race on December 10 of last year when beating rivals by 4 ¼ over six furlongs (1,200m). God of Love is comfortably among these and is expected to be one of the front-runners for this race. For sure, God of Love will have to be caught.
His main threat should be Anthony Nunes' Nuclear Noon, who, on paper, looks like the horse to beat. The well-bred and talented runner defeated stablemates Eagle One and Madelyn's Sunshine by 1½ lengths in the Millard Ziadie Memorial Cup over five-and-a-half furlongs (1,100m) on March 5. Although facing Yellowstone here, whom he lost to in the George HoSang Trophy, Nuclear Noon is more than capable of turning the tables and beating the rest of the field as well.
God of Love has been well prepared by his trainer for this race. The seven-year-old bay gelding galloped five-and-a-half furlongs in 1:10.4 with the last five furlongs (1,000m) coming in 1:04.0 on Sunday, March 19, showing that he is in good form.
On the same morning, with the same exercise routine, Nuclear Noon galloped his five-and-half furlong spin in 1:09.0, with the last five furlongs coming in 1:02.0, showing that he too is in fine fettle for this clash.
Champion jockey Dane Dawkins will ride God of Love with top weight of 57.0kgs (126lb), while current leading rider Tevin Foster will do the honours aboard Nuclear Noon at 51.5kgs (114lb).
The three-year-old and upward call, which is expected to be a sizzling contest, is positioned as the seventh event on the 10-race card with a post time of 3:25pm. First race is at 11:45 am.
Yellowstone, trained by Alford Brown, and Laban, trained by Hall of Famer Richard Azan, should have say in the outcome of the race. Perfect Brew, Curlin's Affair, and Emperorofthecats are testing some very deep waters here.
Yellowstone is an improving sort, who comes into the race on the back-end of three consecutive wins. His last race was on January 29 in the George HoSang Trophy over five-and-a-half furlongs during which he won by a length and a half ahead of Nuclear Noon. Yellowstone should enjoy this minimum trip on the round course and put in another good effort. Former three-time champion jockey Anthony Thomas remains in the saddle at 53.0kgs (117lb).
Laban is a capable sort who has won two of his last three runs and can sprint with these. And given his talent, he can run them close to the finish. Robert Halledeen replaces Thomas in the saddle and will ride at joint top weight of 57.0kgs.
Ones to watch
Race 1) Prince Dominick/Ricky Ricardo/Ridewiththemob
Race 2) Silver Fox/Sensational Ending/Big Argument
Race 3) Johncrowjeff/Donalmighty/Den Street
Race 4) Ras Emanuel/Thalos/Mister Mandate
Race 5) Market Place/Power of Faith/Shrewsbury Norm
Race 6) Lord Burkington/Takes Two To Tango/Airstream
Race 7) God of Love/Nuclear Noon/Yellowstone
Race 8) Lion Charmer/She’s A Mirage/Maggie’s Trix
Race 9) Talona/Nomoredeals/Posing Already
Race 10) Salud/Rhoas The Warrior/English Anne
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