Isle Be There for Santa Rosa Classic

ISLE BE THERE can continue his upturn in form for trainer John O’Brien by taking the Santa Rosa Classic, feature race  on the Arima Race Club Day 21 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, today. The Kdanzc/Isle Be Gone gelding reverts to sprinting today, and his preparation suggests he could play a leading role in this 1200 metres dash which holds the spotlight. This three-year-old was earmarked to be one of the leading juveniles last season but did not live up to expectations. But he has shown marked  improvement this term, landing two wins over a  distance of ground before finishing third to Top Of The Class in the CLICO Midsummer Classic. Although Isle Be There had no chance with the winner in the second leg of the triple crown, there was a lot to like about his effort since he had some quality animals behind him. And it should be noted that Isle Be There won’t be inconvenienced by the drop down to 1200 metres, given that today’s race is sure to develop into an end-to-end gallop. O’Brien seemed to be in two minds as to which race to place the Diane Scott owned gelding, having also set his sights on the 1750 Handicap in which he left in Due Dilligence, Bound To Dot Com and Fresh Mandate. But the champion trainer may have been influenced to pit Isle Be There in the sprint feature after he brightened up Wednesday morning’s gallop in a schooling session from the boxes.

O’Brien is a shrewd judge and holds his charge in some regard, and it would be no surprise to see the chestnut justifying expectations by winning the $60,000 Grade One event in the hands of the competent Nobel Abrego. Beautiful Mind is one of the speed-balls in today’s 12-strong field. He had just one race last year winning  the Nursery Stakes in pole-to-pole fashion, before injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. His first run this term was nothing to write home about, folding up tamely when tackled by Naturelly Classy up the stretch. But his second appearance offered much more hope, finishing third to Undisputed and A Firm Relief after being bounced early. Beautiful Mind has come on since both runs and could provide the main opposition to our top choice. Dottie’s Way ran a blinder only to be edged out by Outswinger in the Indian Arrival Day Handicap. The winner has since franked the form with another gutsy display before falling away behind Millennium Reign and Phantom Bidder. Dottie’s Way has performed with distinction on both surfaces and on that form line, looks good to take the supporting Allowance race earlier