Sugar Mike looks sweet in Stewards Cup

SUGAR MIKE, impressive winner of all his starts on the main course this season, is expected to give away lumps of weight and a beating to his seven rivals in the Betting Levy Board Stewards Cup, feature race on  the Arima Race Club Day 38 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. The Grant Lourenco-trained American-bred four-year-old was beaten in his first start here  in  this same event last year by Cash Wager and Napoleon, but since the turn of  the year has improved tremendously, and looks a cut above the top bracket. Since then, Sugar Mike has beaten his field in seven of eight starts, on the last two occasions toting the welter burden of 60.5 kilos.

Those perfromances have made him a Horse of the Year candidate, and the son of Ponche/No Sugar should continue his winning trend with victory in the Grade One race despite handing out between two kilos and  11 kilos to the opposition. Nobel Abrego stole the race last year with a good ride aboard Cash Wager, producing him at the death to deny Napoleon. John O’Brian’s hopes of a repeat with the son of Valid Wager/Cashierette, who after an 11 month lay-off gave a splendid performance behind Sugar Mike. He has stood up to his preparations nicely, is clearly going the right way and would not go down without a fight in defence of  his title in the prestigious 1200 metres sprint. Napoleon is another who will find today’s trip to his liking. He scored with consumate ease in both his prep races leading up to today’s clash and should not be underestimated. This year’s event is very intriguing since this renewal features the seasonal clash of  the young pretenders taking on the older horses, after which one will be crown Champion Sprinter of the Southern Caribbean. 

But while all the glare will be focused on last year’s top three, some of the young pretenders have sent out danger signals, and can score a possible upset. Miss Lover Lover ran a corker againt the top bracket early in her career, only to be knocked about in the straight when holding a very good chance of victory. She showed roughish tendency thereafter and was passed on to trainer Edmund De Freitas, who has done a marvellous job in getting her mind back on the racing. His patience with  the daughter of Friendly Lover reaped rewards. She scored impressive victories after two runner-up finishes, and could be value for money at her current odds. Fortunate Flag is another expected to run a big race in today’s $100,000 event,  despite being out in the market. But it is difficult to oppose Sugar Mike, and he is taken to score from last year’s winner Cash Wager, with Miss Lover Lover and Fortunate Flag filling minor places. The Derek Cozier Memorial Turf Classic Trophy over 1725 metres looks an even contest among the nine West Indian-bred three-year-olds. This co-feature on the Betting Levy Board-sponsored 10-race programme could go to the very consistent Super Grey, with Sweet Tempo and Golden Honour taken to fight out the minor spots.