Nine-race card Saturday, Jetsam awards February 15

Feature race of the day will be the eighth for horses rated 75-50 ovr 1500 metres on the turf course.

Nine runners are expected to face starter Carlton Ramsaroop in the $48,000 event headed by crack sprinter Desert Dancer, newcomer Getevenintime and improving Peace N Glory.

One turfite left Santa Rosa Park with a cheque for over $38,000 for spotting the correct Hi5.

And on Saturday, they can target the singlewinner bonus in the Superfecta which has gallooned to $51,306.52.

Meanwhile, champions of 2016 in local horse racing will be officially honoured by the Arima Race Club on February 15.

The equine and human champions will be honoured at the annual Jetsam Awards ceremony, to be held at the ballroom of the Queen’s Park Oval from 7 pm.

Under the banner “Celebrate With The Stars of Horse Racing” the Horse of the Year, top jockey, apprentice, trainer, groom, owner, stallion, mare, breeder and groom will be officially named.

Ronald “Tiger” Ali will receive his award as champion jockey while Ridge Balgobin gets his as champion apprentice.

Last year’s champion trainer was Glenn Mendez but the Horse of the Year title is wide open although the ultra-consistent Thisonesforron seems to have his head in front.

Tickets for patrons attending the awards ceremony will cost $350 and can be booked at the ARC offices at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

The tickets will afford patrons, a welcome drink, dinner and an open bar.

Meanwhile, the ARC has set up a pree-Carnival Meeting leader board with a new criteria.

According to the new criteria system, chamions will be determined by the average number of points accumulated, divided by the number of starters.

Points will be awarded — Win seven; second five; third three and fourth one point.