Atomica gets nod in rich Mouttet Mile invitational
ATOMICA, the talented three-year-old filly from the barn of Gary Subratie, once again has the opportunity to demonstrate her dominance over rivals when she lines up in the inaugural staging of the ultra-rich Mouttet Mile invitational event at Caymanas Park today.
The fact that the Mouttet Mile carries a total reward of US$125,000 makes this the largest purse for a single event offered at Caymanas Park.
The Mouttet Mile takes its name from its main sponsor, Paul Mouttet, chairman of Trinidad and Tobago-based Zodiac Caribbean Ventures Limited which is currently the largest shareholder of SVREL’s mother company, Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL).
Bred by Nuclear Wayne out of the Reparations mare Honkeytonkville, Atomica wears the mantle of the top three-year-old. She has raced nine times this year and has won seven times, with her two defeats coming in the Jamaica St Leger on July 2 when she finished second behind Blue Vinyl, and during the Gold Cup on October 22 when she finished fifth behind Mahogany.
Atomica’s victories include the Jamaica 1000 Guineas and Jamaica Derby Classic races, as well as the Grade One Jamaica Cup. Atomica was at her brilliant best in the November 12 Jamaica Cup run over nine and a half furlongs (1,900 m), putting rivals in their place with a 16-length whipping in a new Track and Stakes record time of 1:57.3. Going a mile today is even better for Atomica, especially with her pace and ability to finish strong, and for sure she will not disappoint.
However, it won’t be as easy a task for Atomica as she renews her rivalry with Mahogany in what is expected to be a titanic clash between the two top horses in training at present.
Mahogany (Sensational Slam–Mete-Orite) is the number one-rated horse in the country at present, and so far for this season he has won four races with two seconds from six starts.
Mahogany won the Gold Cup by three lengths after conceding significant weight to rivals in the seven-furlong (1,400m) event. Mahogany is in the right shape at the right time and is endowed with class and courage, and his trainer Ian Parsard knows how to time these big races. There is no doubt that a fit and ready Mahogany is going to have a telling impact on the results of the Mouttet Mile.
Though the race appears to be a battle between Atomica and Mahogany there are competitors including the consistent Oneofakind, the improving four-year-old Jordon Reign’s, the talented Runaway Algo, top stayer Calculus, and double Classic winner Blue Vinyl, who have the capacity to create a scare.
The three-year-old and upward Graded Stakes contest is positioned as the 11th and final event on the card with a post time of 5:00 pm. First race is at 11:00 am.
Oneofakind has performed admirably against the best horses but the Mouttet Mile is another difficult barrier to overcome. The Anthony Nunes trainee will be more than just a spectator in this race, and has an outsider’s chance.
Jordon Reign’s is one of the most improved horses in training at present. He went into the Gold Cup on October 22 on the back end of four consecutive wins but suffered interference, though he still did well to finish fourth. Jordon Reign’s is coming into this race well prepared and very fit. He is in tow to deliver a top-notch performance and is the X factor in the Mouttet Mile.
Runaway Algo is a consistent foreigner who finished second in the recent Gold Cup behind Mahogany. Runaway Algo, based on exercise reports, appears to be in excellent condition, and with one mile right up his street a capital effort is expected. Do not omit Runaway Algo from the reckoning as he has the ability to run close to the pacesetters while packing enough strength to hold his gallop in the lane.
There is no doubt that Calculus prefers to run longer but is sufficiently endowed to perform well in this mile event. Calculus has been coming along nicely at exercise, and with Shane Ellis in the saddle he is going to have a telling impact on the outcome of the Mouttet Mile. Calculus is a consistent performer who will be charging in the last two furlongs.
Blue Vinyl is one of the season’s top three-year-olds. He has won two Classic races — the Jamaica 2000 Guineas and the Jamaica St Leger. Those two Classic wins have underlined his ability as a horse of class, and with a mile just perfect Blue Vinyl is poised for a grand effort.
Also on tap is the inaugural running of the US$25,000 Chairman’s Plate, a three-year-olds and upward Overnight Allowance contest going nine furlongs and 25 yards. The main contenders for this event are Hover Craft, Crimson, Miniature Man, and Brinks.
Ones to watch:
Race 1) Berning Red/Lala Diva/Fabulosity
Race 2) Regal and Royal/Ianzha Links/Iannai Links
Race 3) Alexa’s Lodge/Kay Boy/Versatile Vision
Race 4) Sure Curlin/Always Vigorous/Miss HJF
Race 5) Stomp The Rhythm/Fly Messenger Fly/Lion of Ekati
Race 6) Chandra’s Law/Regnant/Omron
Race 7) Big Guy In Thesky/Fred The Great/Anonymous
Race 8) Don Vincenzo/Real Bigman/Call The Emperor
Race 9) Slammer/I Realise/Tekapunt
Race 10) Crimson/Minature Man/Hover Craft
Race 11) Atomica/Jordon Reign’s/Mahogany