Sugar Mike makes it look easy for 7th victory

SUGARMIKE satretched his win streak to seven in weight starts this season, as he romped to victory in the feature Stakes And Lower Handicap at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. The American-bred son of Poonche/No Sugar was kept on the heels of pace-setting Cash Wager for most of the 1,300 metres journey, and when top jockey Brian Harding asked him to quicken he strode away to win by a comfortable length and three-quarters, despite being saddled with 60.5 kilos and giving away four kilos to the runner-up. And Sugar Mike compoleted the trip in what would have been another track record time of one minute 16.66 seconds. This victory places Sugar Mike who is unbeaten on the main track, in a strong position to capture the Horse of the Year title.

Salsa Moves showed some steps yesterday in slaughtering a 12-horse field of two-year-olds in the 1200 metres event for juveniles, incluyding astablemate and Nursery Stakes winner Melanie My Love who trailed in third. At the finish, rider Lorne Keizer was looking back at the other horses struggling 14 1/4 lengths behind. There was a stunning upset for Regent Boy in the second race of the day, which saw backers raking in $53.10 and $10.70 on a tote bet. With Kay-Gee-Bee and Stormy Season following him home, the trifecta dividend was a handsome $4,061.40, but no turfite managed to get the superfecta. Young Navin Mangalee was the star jockey of the day landing three winners, but leading rider Brian Harding booted home two to entend his lead over Ricky Jadoo to six.  He has 44 winning rides for the season to his rivals 38. Best superfecta dividend of the day came on the Bite De Bullet, Balthazar, Indian Decision, Toronto Star combination - $7,129.80.