Latonia impresses in short spin

Latonia continues to show her class on the gallops course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima as she prepares for her next assignment, the Carib Brewery Caribbean Champion Stakes on November 27. The Jamaican bred three-year-old filly was denied victory in the Royal Oak Derby, by a fast finishing Mucho Tempo in the 2000 metres classic in September. But she looked healthy as she graced the course yesterday. And just as the daughter of Footloose/Private Number looked, she worked, covering the last 600 metres of the exercise course in 36.13 seconds. Her time posted for the work proved best for the distance on the morning, and what made the solo spin even better, was that it was completed on sand dried and loose from the previous day’s heat.

Trainer Glenn Mendez stepped his local bred two-year-olds preparation up a notch. The in-form trainer sent first time winner Crown Point and Lord Arazi to accompany Lit D’Amour, and they performed well in posting 37.17 seconds on the clock. But the duo was no match for the roan grey with a head-strong attitude, who was seen pulling out the hands of leading apprentice Gary Laban in amusing his younger stablemate. Spin N’ Squeeze was another that looked in good shape. The six-year-old mare by Freshly Squeezed/Rhumba Dancer is yet to turn in her maiden certificate after 33 lifetime starts but caught the eye with her 38.74 seconds performance over 600 metres. Trainer Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj runners Native Love, Golden Grades and Mister Hypocrit were others that did something of note. Native Love went at a handy clip over 600 metres in 37.95 seconds, while her  three-year-old stablemates went at a slightly slower rate over 800 metres in 55.11 seconds.

Following are the recorded gallops:
400 METRES: Fast Company — 27.17, easy; Isle Be True — 25.17, handily; Massoud — 26.08, handily; Getthejobdone — 28.00, easy (Boxes); Cotonou — 29.34, pacing; Saman Song — 29.76, pacing; Top Of The Class — 28.98, pacing; Heaven Sent and Condoleza — 29.98, easy (Boxes); Explosive Suzie — 29.55, pacing; V For Victory — 29.92, pacing; Mucho Tempo — 29.94, pacing; Carefree — 28.99, pacing; Fabulous Risk — 29.09, pacing; Rusalka — 29.98, pacing; Really Quiet — 29.93, pacing; Amigo  Mio and Full Of Promises — 29.73, pacing; Sweey N’Beautiful — 28.43, pacing; Seattle Sue — 28.93, pacing.

600 METRES: Lit D’Amour, Lord Arazie and Crown Point — 37.17, good; Latonia — 36.13, good; Vitesse Triomphe — 40.36. handily; Native Love — 37.95, handily; Spin N’Squeeze — 38.74, handily; Hundred Percent — 44.97, pacing; Supremely Satisfied and Trini To D Bone — 43.77, pacing; Comanchero — 44.57. Pacing; Bada Bing and Alfie My Boy — 43.45, pacing; Joint Account — 41.56, pacing; Stompy — 44.99, pacing; Piece Of Cake — 42.35, pacing; Fresh Wings — 44.98, pacing.

800 METRES: Golden Grades and Mister Hypocrit — 55.11, handily; Wild Life — 55.76, pacing; Runaway Rocket — 59.98, pacing; Machomaninthong — 59.38, pacing; Ex Top Priority — 59.93, pacing.

1000 METRES: Arumur — 1:11.49, pacing; Pave The Way — 1:10.55, pacing; Millenium Reign — 1:14.98, pacing.

1200 METRES: Outswinger — 1:29.02, pacing; Final Set — 1:27.65, pacing.