Champion trainer O’Brien suspended

MULT I - T I M E champion trainer Jkoihn O’Brien will miss the next three months of local horse racing.

The Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority Board handed down a three-month suspension to O’Brien following a meeting yesterday.

His three-month suspension will take effect from September 17 The suspension stems from the positive test for a prohibitive substance on his charge Desert Dancer in April this year.

As a result, O’Brien will miss the prestigious Trinidad Derby to be run off at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Republic Day, September 24.

He has six nominees headed by Crown The King, a recent winner, in the blue riband event.

Young jockey Kerron Khelawan also received a suspension for a misdemeanor.

He was suspended from riding for six race days, also starting from September 17.

Meanwhile, the Arima Race Cloub produced an eight-race programme for their Race Day 31when racing resumes on Saturday.

There are some large fields on the day’s card inclouding 21 runners in the 1350 metres race for horses rated 50-25.

A single winner bonanza of over $43,000 is being offered on the Superfecta, while the bonus on the Hi5 is over $31,000 and there is a carryover of over $15,000 on the Trifecta.