Morgan Heritage in ‘Friday Lime’ upset

MORGAN HERITAGE made almost all the running to score a stunning upset victory in the feature Sneaker Pimps Allowance race at yesterday’s Arima Race Club/Carib Brewery “Friday Lime” at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.

From the off, jockey Lorne Keizer pushed the five-year-old American-bred gelding into the lead, and enjoying the sloppy conditions made by persistent showers, he raced alongside Ichiban for 5400 metres before going clear to win by five lengths. Ichiban having his first race after a long lay-off kept plugging away in second but weakened noticeably with 100 metres left and was swallowed up by the fast-finishing Canaima and Squee Zintru. Pre-race favourite Kalyan who joined the issue 800 metres out could only run on at one pace, just displacing Ichiban for fourth. Another well-backed runner in the seven-horse field, Dutchess Trembley never gave backers a real hope. Turfites who wagered on Morgan Heritage were rewarded with $75.40 and $13.30 on the tote.

Another surprise winner was Dealer’s Choice who made light of the maiden two-year-olds, winning by five-and-a-quarter lengths from Takeover and Fast Company, with Mister Hypocrit finishing fourth. Backers got $45.80 and $5.60 on their $2 tickets, but none could find the correct superfecta combination. The biggerst superfecta dividend came in the Bruc conditional maidens race won by Winning Trickwho paid $48.50 and $8.30 on the tote. Together with runner-up Peace Of Mind, third Desert Rose and fourth The Chairman, the superfecta payout was a whopping $7,857.30.

Brian Harding added two more winning rides to his list to ensure taking the champion jockey title this year. Keizer also landed two winners, while Harriram Gobin led the trainers yesterday, saddling two winners. Next raceday is December 13 when the Stewards Cup over 1200 metres with a purse of $100,000 will be the feature. Connections have paid final subscriptions of $400 for 14 runners including current star Sugar Mike who will be challenged by grey creole speedster Napoleon. Co-feature on the day’s ten-race programme is the Turf Classic over 1725 metres for West Indies three-year-olds worth $60,000.