Husbands coming to ride Momentum

This was announced at the launch of the Blue Riband race at Jaffa, at the Queen’s Park Oval, yesterday.

The Barbados-born seven-time Sovereign Award winner (champion jockey) at Woodbine only last weekend landed eight winners including five on Saturday.

Several other top riders including Trinidadian Emile Ramsammy will be in the saaddle in this year’s Derby to be run over 2,000 metres. He will ride Jamaica-bred Rocketman.

Other “foreign” jockeys coming to ride in the blue riband event are Ramsey Zimmerman from Florida, Jamaicans Dane Nelson, Shane Ellis and Barbadian duo Rickey Walcott and Jalon Samuel.

According to Arima Race Club president Hugh Lee King, the National Gas Company’s sponsorship of the Derby has increased from $300,000 to $500,000.

And both NGC acting president Curtis Mohammed and chairman Roop Chan Chadeesingh expressed the hope that their company will continue to be associated with the Derby for a very long time.

ARC racing secretary Robin Jaisingh predicted “a great day of racing.”

And he pointed out the Derby will have a Caribbean flavour, with horses from Jamaica, Barbados and the host country involed.

Jaisingh congratulated the connections of Barbados Derby winner Voldemort in taking up the challenge to bring their Janak/Annabel Jane offspring for the race, knowing he will be racing on a dirt track for the first time and going left handed, arriving here at short notice.

Momentum who will be seeking the Triple Crown title was drawn in Post 6, while chief challenger Princess Popstar will be in Post 6.

The draw for the co-feature $150,000 NGC Diamond Stakes over 1350 metres was also made.with last year’s “Horse of the Year” Bigman IN Town drawing Post 9.

Here are the post positions for the co-feature races with jockeys:

NGC/CNG Trinidad Derby - Purse: $500,000 - 2000 Metres:

1. CRAMER’S RULE, Dane Nelson; 2. SPITFIRE, Ramsey Zimmerman; 3. RAEVEN RENAE, Shane Ellis; 4. FREEEDOMFIGHTER, Jalon Samuel; 5. VOLDEMORT, Rickey Walcott; 6. PRINCESS POPSTAR, Wilmer Galviz; 7. BIGMAN BAS, R Jadoo; 8. GLORIOUS COUNTRY, Ron Ali; 9. MOMENTUM, Patrick Husbands; 10. JUSTCALLMEBAS, Nobel Abrego; 11. ROCKETMAN, Emile Ramsammy.

NGC Diamond Stakes - Purse: $150,000 - 1350 Metres.

1. CORONEO, Emile Ramsammy; 2. CARBON FIBER, Wilmer Galviz; 3. CRIME OF PASSION, Patrick Husbands; 4. SACRED TRUST, Kerron Khelawan; 5. SLEWJERO, Dane Nelson; 6. HOLY MAN, Ramsey Zimmerman; 7. READBETWEENDLINES, Ricky Jadoo; 8. SIGNAL ALERT, Ron Ali; 9. BIGMAN IN TOWN, Nobel Abrego.