Sugar Mike glitters in Diamond Stakes

SUGAR MIKE literally destroyed his field to score his second straight victory in the Arima Race Club Diamond Stakes Handicap over 1350 metres at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday. The powerfully-built American-bred five-year-old was kept in the shade of the pacemakers for most of the journey by regular partner Brian Harding, and he swept past leaders Twice Infallible and his Sagicor Independence Cup conqueror Miss Lover Lover with consumate ease despite his 60.5 kilos burden in the final 200 metres.

Champion jockey Harding made it look ridiculously easy, as the “big horse” strode away for a three and a quarter length victory, as last year’s triple crown winner Top Of The Class battled on to snatch second place from the tiring Twice Infallible with Miss Lover Lover steeling for the shortest end of the purse. Outswinger led from the start with Twice Infallible disputing leadership with Miss Lover Lover tracking the first two along with Sugar Mike. Jockey Lorne Keizer took Twice Infallible into the lead 300 metres out and just when it appeared he and Miss Lover Lover would fight out the finish, Harding sent the 2003 “Horse of the Year” in pursuit.

There were a couple huge upset winners on the day, biggest of all Philadel-phian who rewarded backers with $62.30 and $5.80 on the tote, and Champagne Wager who paid $$22.10 and $3.60. But the Sure Ting, Life In Russia, Carnival Messiah, Sure Wager combination produced the best superfecta dividend of $2,927.20. Top rider of the day was double derby jockey Ricardo Jadoo who landed two winners, while Glenn Mendez saddled two horses to victory to be the leading trainer. Racing takes a one-week break before returning to the same venue on October 16.