54th Santa Rosa Classic a two-horse race?

Turfites must decide which of the two Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj-bred three-year-olds will cross the finish line first between his own Sara’s Music and the Mr Pius-owned, Shaffique Khan-trained All For Java.

All For Java was the undisputed two-year-old boss winning six consecutive races before losing his second outing as a three-year-old, the Royal Colours Classic after which connections discovered all was not well with him.

Fact is, this gelded son of Java In Flight/Set All finished ahead of Sara’s Music whenever they met in all but the Royal Colours.

But that cagey Maharaj has Sara’s Music who is by Java In Flight/Indian Music in tip-top condition at the moment and he could well turn the tables on his half brother. For the first time this year, Sagicor will sponsor this 54th running of the race and have incorporated the Classic worth a total of $60,000 on their Independence Day programme as co-feature to their Sagicor Independence Cup for the top-class horses.

Apart from the two Java In Flight offsprings, the opposition looks mediocre.

A lot has been made of Millionaire especially moving over to the champion trainer (winnings) John O’Brien stables.

But this Private Banker/Fergy bay colt finished a poor fourth to Godspell, 12 3/4 lengths back of the winner, granted this was over the 1900 metres trip.

Feelikemakinluv has made some improvement but despite her emphatic 4 1/2 length win in her last start over 1300 metres, the time was nothing to shout home about.

The filly Magnificat who is by Storm Report/Tempest and really built for speed, is yet to be seen on a race track since December last year, although as a two-year-old she won on debut over 1100 metres, beating Angel Of Music by one length but was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Diplomacy before going wrong.

All others in this 11-horse field need no mentioning.

If trainer Khan has All For Java as fit as he claims, and following a gallop on Friday morning when he out-gunned Midsummer Classic winner Godspell over 800 metres in a shade over 49 seconds on a sloppy track, then turfites need look no further.