Cloud over Sara’s Song, classic wide open

The 1900 metres race worth a total prize money of $150,000 will take pride of place at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Emancipation Day, August 1.

But there is a dark cloud over early favourite Sara’s Song, winner of the first jewel, the Bookmakers Association Guineas over 1800 metres.

It will be a harsh blow to affable owner-trainer-breeder Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj if the son of Java In Flight/Indian Music cannot take his place.

Should Sara’s Music be forced to withdraw, it would mean for yet one more time Maharaj is without a chance of that evasive triple crown.

And the gelding’s withdrawal will also throw the door wide open with regards the winner of the “Midsummer.”

With him out, any of four hold legitimate claim to winning the top purse in the second three-year-old classic of the 2006 season.

The Grant Lourenco-trained Angel Of Music blotted her copybook with an indifferent performance, though finishing second to Greek Princess in the Oaks Stakes over 2000 metres, beaten by a long six lengths.

Then there is Jacobite, prepared by champion trainer (earnings) Glenn Mendez, runner-up to Sara’s Music in the Guineas, beaten 2 3/4 lengths, a race in which Angel Of Music was fourth.

Next is Phantomoftheopera, also handled by Lourenco, who ran dismally to be fifth in the Guineas.

But the one with the best hope of taking the “Midsummer” is the Gary Hearn-trained Greek Princess.

This Freshly Squeezed/Speedtrap filly after a disappointing 11th in the Guineas, came back to her best to slam the Oaks Stakes field, and appears to relish the longer trip.

Meanwhile, the sub-plot on Emancipation Day, the President’s Cup over the same distance, 1`will see a re-match between Royal Oak Derby winner Border Dispute and Crown Point.

For the Jamaican-bred colt, it will be his third start of the year and third race after his classic victory, and to date has looked nothing special.

The Tobago-bred Crown Point on the other hand has been performing brilliantly, winning on his last start.

But it will not be a two-horse by the wildest stretch of the imagination, as the fast improving Hello Yankee, Privilege, Lekh Raj who has been in a rich vien of form lately, and Chief Commander holding the engagement.

Here are the horses in the two races: Midsummer Classic - WI Bred 3 Y.O. - (Grade 1) - 1900 Metres:

ANGEL OF MUSIC; BLUFF BID; BOLD MOVER; DANSE DE COCOA; DUDLEY’S GIRL; GODSPELL; GONZAGA; GREEK PRINCESS; JACOBITE; MILLIONAIRE; MR SHANKAR; PHANTOMOFTHEOPERA; SARA’S MUSIC; SING THE BLUES; SKY HIGH; WIND JAMMER.

President’s Cup Handicap (Grade 2) - 1900 Metres:

BORDER DISPUTE; CARIB TIME; CHIEF COMMANDER; CROWN POINT; HELLO YANKEE; ICE TIMBER; LEKH RAJ; PEACE OFFERING; PRIVILEGE; SPEAKINGINPARABLES; SUAVE RUNNER; URAM; WILD ABOUT BECCA.