Calculus puts on clinic in Menudo Trophy
Calculus continued to strengthen his claim as one of the island’s top stayers with another sublime and classy victory in the renewal of the $1.5-million Menudo Trophy feature race over 10 furlongs (2,000m) at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Trained by Gary Subratie and ridden by Shane Ellis, Calculus came off the pace to beat rivals going away by a length and three-quarters in the three-year-old and upwards Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest. I Am Fred finished second and Big Big Daddy was third in a final time of 2:08.0.
Ellis held Calculus in fourth place, behind I Am Fred (Chris Mamdeen), Big Jule (Dane Dawkins) and Big Big Daddy (Javaniel Patterson), passing the stands for the first time and going around the clubhouse turn. While I Am Fred and Big Jule battled for the lead down the backstretch, Calculus improved to third place and looked threatening with every stride.
Hugging the inside rails and cutting the turn entering the straight, Calculus joined I Am Fred in deep stretch as both runners battled for supremacy. Ellis kept his mount well balanced and Calculus edged away in the end for his fourth victory in nine starts this season.
It was the second winner on the day for Ellis, as he booted home Real Boss in the fifth race for trainer Spencer Chung. Chung went on to saddle Don Vincenzo (Reyan Lewis) in the ninth race for his double.
Also with two winners was champion trainer Anthony Nunes, who was successful with Wowza (Anthony Thomas) in the first race, and Bugatti (Tevin Foster) in the day’s sixth event.
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited says today’s full slate of races will go ahead as planned, in spite of the threat of Tropical Storm Ian. This follows news that the tropical storm warning in effect for the island has been discontinued.
“To our valued patrons, please be advised that the race meet scheduled for Sunday, September 25, 2022, will run as planned,” Supreme Ventures said in a press release yesterday afternoon. “Simulcast offerings will also be available during the business’ normal operating hours, 7 am to 10 pm. Should any changes to the meet be necessary, due to the inclement weather, all stakeholders and members of the public will be advised in due course.”
— Ruddy Allen