The Citadel, Emperorofthecats take aim at $3-m Kingston Cup
The Citadel and Emperorofthecats will put their unbeaten records on the line in what is expected to be a thriller in the second staging of the $3-million Kingston Cup at Caymanas Park today.
Trained by Ian Parsard, The Citadel and Emperorofthecats, bred, owned and trained Carl Anderson, are among 13 runners entered for competition in the 7½-furlong (1,500m) event which is confined to native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings.
Unbeaten in two starts to date, The Citadel (Key To Power–Wings of Hope) made his racing debut on February 19 over six and half furlongs (1,300m) and won by 2 ¼ lengths in a time of 1:23.1.
He last raced on March 19 over seven-and-a-half furlongs, defeating rivals by 7 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:35.1. The Citadel should report for this engagement an even better animal and given that he is working well, the chestnut gelding will be a deciding factor when the winning post arrives.
Emperorofthecats (Emperor Hall-Laws of the Cat) has also won two races from as many starts. The bay gelding won the Prince Consort Stakes over seven furlongs, making him the leader of the male three year olds going into this event.
Emperorofthecats is a dogged sort who likes to run from in front but he can be settled close enough to the leaders and then make his move. He has been going well at exercise in the mornings and will be hard to deny.
It is of note that Emperorofthecat’s regular rider Bebeto Harvey has been replaced by Andre Martin and he races with the tongue tie on.
The race is ninth and final event on the card with a post time of 5:20 pm. First race is at 12:35 pm.
By no means, this race is to be decided between these two runners as a bunch of horses are capable of making strong cases for themselves to take down this Cup race, the final major prep race leading up to the Classic series of races which begin with the 1000 and 2000 Guineas races next month.
Tekapunt (Northern Giant– Just A Flutter) has won the Sir Howard Stakes (six furlongs) and then finished third behind Emperorofthecats and Blue Vinyl in the Prince Consort Stakes.
With a hot headline expected, Tekapunt has the ability to stay off the pace, and then produce his characteristic late surge in the stretch drive. The faster the pace, the better it will be for the Jason DaCosta trainee.
Blue Vinyl finished third behind Luksol and Nomoredeals on April 23, when he was expected to win, especially after his second-place effort in The Prince Consort. The extended trip of the Kingston Cup suits Blue Vinyl (Bern Identity–Blufield), who will give his best in the final two furlongs.
Perfect Brew (Bern Identity–Moonlight Brew) was not disgraced on last when finishing a length and a half in second place behind Madelyn’s Sunshine over five furlongs round on April 9.
Perfect Brew is going to welcome this extended trip but will have to show marked improvement to defeat his colleagues. Much has been expected of Perfect Brew since his two-year-old days, but he has not fully delivered.maybe delivery will come today.
The talked-about runner in the line-up is the Philip Feanny-conditioned Power. The chestnut colt showed his hoofs with an eye-catching performance to win the Simply Magic Cup over a mile on April 17. Then Power won by 3 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:40.3, and effort which brought him to the top of the pile among the three-year-old colts and geldings. Power has been primed at exercise and will be difficult to beat.
Ones to watch
Race 1) Poker Star/Pure Heart/Diligent
Race 2) Killer Bee/Milkman/Lazer Light
Race 3) Dodge This Link/My Smokey/Dukje of Springs
Race 4) Bigmanbiden/Avenging Angel/Maya
Race 5) Goliath The Great/Lacrimae/Degaulle
Race 6) Power of Faith/Rum With Me/Acero
Race 7) Mine That Cat/Sir John/Heavenly Glitter
Race 8) El Cid/Get A Pepsi/Rum Puncher
Race 9) Power/Perfect Brew/Blue Vinyl