Sugar Mike returns with a mission

THE buzz was still lingering among railbirds at gallops at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday, with many wondering what went wrong with raging favourite French Academy. But the more “knowledgeable” were quick to point out “I told you so,” to back up their argument that Mucho Tempo would win the $250,000 73rd renewal of the Royal Oak Derby. And despite what owners and trainers ventured immediately after the race and again on Sunday, the “knowledgeables” stuck to their guns. As they bantered trainers continued with their routine of getting their charges ready for the resumption of racing on October 2, when the feature will be the Diamond Stakes Handicap, a Group 2 race over 1,350 metres on the ten-race  programme on Day 29 of the Arima Race Club season.

When third and final subscriptions closed for this race with a purse of over $75,000, there were nine horse left in. Among them was last year’s “Horse of the Year” Sugar Mike, who will be looking to put his Sagicor Independence Cup Trophy failure behind him and recoup losses. In this outing, he will again face his conquerors Miss Lover Lover, the winner, third placed Top Of The Class, winner of the triple crown — Easter Guineas, Midsummer Classic and Royal Oak Derby last year, and fourth Invincibility.  Fantastic Story who was second has not been subscribed. Apart from the three which finished ahead of him, Sugar Mike will face five other top class horses. Those for which final subscriptions were paid: Dauntless Hero; Invincibility; Miss Lover Lover; Movietowne Magic; Outswinger; Rebel Music; Sugar Mike.; Top Of The Class; Twice Infallible.