‘The Student’ puts unbeaten tag on the line

TRIPLE CROWN winner Top Of The Class will put his unbeaten record which began  in April this year on the line in the Caribbean Champion Stakes on November 29.

The Glenn Mendez-trained colt, unbeaten since the Easter Guineas, heads a list of 12 runners for which second subscriptions were paid for the prestigious event. The 1,800 metres contest framed for West Indian-bred three-year-olds and over will be the biggest assignment for the son of Freshly Squeezed/Crescendo who has since added two other victories to his triple crown performances. This fabulous colt jointly owned by Merlin Samlalsingh and Rupert Leong Poi has already banked $250,000 for winning all three classics this season, and stands to earn a further $750,000 bonus from CLICO with victory in the Caribbean Champion Stakes later this month. Mendez who currently leads the trainers will go into the event with a three-pronged attack, with Carnival Messiah and runner-up in this year’s Royal Oak Derby Celebration Time, also holding the engagement.

The Messiah gave Mendez his first Triple Crown two years back, writing his name in the history books as the first to achieve the feat at the centralised racing facilities at Santa Rosa Park, Arima. For his efforts the son of Freshly Squeezed banked the $250,000 cheque, but failed to add the bigger portion of the $1 million package from the insurance giants when he flopped in the fourth leg, the Champion Stakes won by Chanticleer. Second subscriptions were also paid for the old Iron Horse, who will be chasing a repeat in the 1,800 metres event. And no horse knows the Santa Rosa Park course better then Chanticleer who has racked up most wins — 25 — and is closing in on $1 million in earnings. Chanticleer is among five runners representing champion trainer John O’Brien’s barn, the others are Due Dilligence, Ichiban, Maid Of Honour and last year’s Royal Oak Derby winner Millenium Reign. Also paying the $400 fee to be among the starters are Phantom Menace, Punto A Punto, Super Grey and Undisputed.

Following is the list of horses for which second subs were paid: Carnival Messiah, Celebration Time, Chanticleer, Due Diligence, Ichiban, Maid of Honour, Millenium Reign, Phantom Menace, Punto A Punto, Super Grey, Top of the Class and Undisputed.