Miss Lover Lover is Sagicor Cup darling

MISS LOVER LOVER scored a stunning upset in the feature Sagicor Independence Cup Trophy at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. The Edmund de Freitas-trained four-year-old filly took up the running in the 1850 metres race just after the halfway stage, and staved off a resolute late challenge by Fantastic Story to pocket the $45,000 winner’s purse for owners  Six M Stables, with last year’s triple crown winner and sole locally-bred entrant Top Of The Class finishing third and Invincibility following in fourth. Champion racehorse Sugar Mike finished a well-beaten fifth after travelling in a prominent position throughout. Miss Lover Lover was kept in mid division by rider Rajpaul Rajkumar while Barbados invader Birdie Point and Outswinger made the early running.

This pair kept at it until 600 metres out when Miss Lover Lover took over and stole a march on the 11-horse field, and Rajkumar kept the American-bred filly up to her work to score by a neck from the fast-finishing Fantastic Story with Top Of The Class a further half length back in third.  The time for the race was a good 1:55.63 seconds. Later, trainer Grant Lourenco discovered Sugar Mike lost a shoe during running of the race and was also impeded at a vital stage. Turfites were well rewarded with a tote dividend of $29.50 and $7.50 on Miss Lover Lover, while the trifecta payout was best of the day - $11,596.40.  No one won the superfecta, however. Salsa Moves danced to the Santa Rosa Classic Trophy for three-year-olds over 1200 metres.

Kept in the shade of the pacemakers, jockey Lorne Keizer produced his mount 200 metres out and he accelerated to slaughter his field for breeder- owner-trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj to pocket the $60,000 winner’s purse. Apprentice rider Christopher Jadoo got a rousing hand when he landed his first career winner 2Sharp, a half length ahead of Crack Shot and champion jockey Brian Harding. Lorne Keizer was the most successful rider on the day with two winning rides, while Maharaj and Harriram Gobin shared the honours, saddling two winners apiece. Racing will take a short one-week break and the horses will return to the track at Santa Rosa Park for another 10-race programme on September 11.