Turfites face dilemma at Santa Rosa

SPOTTING winners on Emancipation Day, Friday, at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, Day 23 of the Arima Race Club racing season will test turfites to the limit. There are 123 horses entered on the day’s 11-race programme, and in each, any of at least three horses could take the top prize. Co-features of the day are the President’s Cup over 1900 metres and the Oaks Stakes over 2000 metres. Triple crown winner of 2001 Carnival Messiah hold the engagement with the “penny stamp” weight of 46 kilos. Wilma Primus’ star which is trained by the highly successful Glenn Mendez must hold an outstanding chance. But he must get by noted American-bred stayer Phantom Bidder who has pleased at gallops. The improving imported filly Dottie’s Way, also lightly weighted, is set to make her mark among the top flight, but then there is Sugar Mike who has been going quite well at gallops and the consistent Millenium Reign, last year’s Derby king who conquered stablemate Phantom Bidder last time out receiving five kilos. 

The gelding will get only three kilos this time around for his two-and-a-quarter length victory.To thicken the plot, Invincibility the other Grant Lourencvo-trained entrant, holds the engagement. Sweet Tempo who is also trained by Mendez should go to post asa favourite to take the Oaks, despite her disappointing seventh in the Midsummer Classic. This filly has shown exceptional form at gallops and should not be missed, especially as she is one of the few to have won over a distance of ground. Millenium Dancer, Cornerstone who will be sent to post by champion trainer John O’Brien, and Fireastorm appears to be The Tempo’s main challengers in the race worth $75,000.

Here are the runners, weights and riders for the 11 races:
RACE 1: (12.00 NOON) - W.I. BRED 2 Y.O. MAIDENS & WINNERS OF ONE RACE - 1000 METRES - 1. Music Man 52 R Ragoonath; 2. Java In Stuyle 51 R Singh; 3. Melanie My Love 50 N Samaroo; 4. Juanistheman52 W Galviz; 5. Laura’s Boy 50 R Chadee; 6. Deadsure 50 R Freeman; 7. Salsa Moves 52 F Razack; 8. Sunday Jewel 48.5 L Munoz; 9. All Set For Battle 55 J Arneaud; 10. Java Takeover 50 R Mangalee.
RACE 2:  (12.35 PM) -  W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES - 1200 METRES - 1. Hatrick 48.5 W Galviz; 2. Super Grey 54.5 W Bharath; 3. Beautiful Mind 56.5 J Arneaud; 4. Hyarima 48.5 F Razack; 5. Fantastic Lad 44.5 B Harding; 6. Sir Vidia 49.5 L Keizer; 7. Return To Glory 53.5 R Thomas; 8. Finest Gem 45.5 R Jadoo.
RACE 3: (1.11 PM) -  3 Y.O. & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING -1350 METRES - 1. Alibi Iki 51.5 R Jadoo; 2. Groomsman 53.5 R Mangalee; 3. Badpayjamesee 52.5 L. Keizer; 4. I’m No Hunter 45.5 L. Munoz; 5. Bonus Point 52.5 G Laban; 6. Soca Tempo 48.5 W Bharath; 7. Golden Boy 55.5 B Harding; 8. Erin Dancer 43.5 R Thomas; 9. Ula 50.5 N Samaroo.
RACE 4: (1.47 PM) - 3 Y.O. & OVEER OPTIONAL CLAIMING - 1100 METRES (TURF) - 1. Stormy Season 52.5 H Emamalie; 2. Touch Wood 51.5 S Rodrigo; 3. Lazar Wolf 51.5 R Singh; 4. Hillside Symphony 55.5 R Jadoo; 5. Gaucho 45.5 R Freeman; 6. Cat Woman 46.5 W Bharath; 7. Durability 49.5 N Samaroo; 8. Take Charge 52.5 N Abrego; 9. Cash Reward 52.5 R Jadoo; 10. Brandy 46.5 R Thomas; 11. Ronaldo (Res. 1) 47.5 D Gaff; 12. Uncle Joe 51.5 R Ragoonath; 13. Redoubled 52.5 J Arneaud.
RACE 5: (2.23 PM) - 3 Y.O. & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING - 1100 METRES (TURF) - 1. Rhythm Divine 51.5 L. Munoz; 2. New Star 50.5 G Laban; 3. Singinginthewind 50.5 R Freeman; 4. Bon Voyage 49.5 J. Arneaud; 5. Joint Venture 49.5 N Samaroo; 6. Outburst 44.5 R Ragoonath; 7. A Firm Relief 52.5 F Razack; 8. Living In Hope 52.5 W Bharath; 9. Queen’s Band 52.5 W Galviz; 10. Torointo Star 52.5 H Emamalie; 11. Politics 50.5 R Jadoo; 12. Richie Rich 51.5 R Mangalee; 13. Bandinthong 53.5 R Thomas.
RACE 6: (3.00 PM) - 3 Y.O. & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING - 1250 METRES - 1. Once In A Lifetime 48.5 H Emamalie; 2. Justice 51.5 W Galviz; 3. Spin N’Squeeze 51.5 J Arneaud; 4. Cotonou 47.5 G Laban; 5. Yankee Eagle 55.5 N Abrego; 6. Regent Boy 48.5 W Bharath; 7. Bobs Treasure 53.5 R Freeman; 8. Indian Game 54.5 N Samaroo; 9. Tour D’Argent 47.5 R Thomas; 10. El Borracho53.5 S Rodrigo; 11. Jena’s Delight 45.5 F Razack; 12. Mystile 50.5 L. Munoz; 13 Kay-Gee-Bee 53.5 D Gaff; 14. Shezabute 49.5 R Jadoo; 15. Indian Trouble 46.5 R Mangalee.
RACE 7: (3.36 PM) - W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. MAIDENS - 1300 METRES - 1. Principle 44.5 L Munoz; 2. Van Nistelrooy 53.5 N Abrego; 3. Silk Runner 51.5 G Laban; 4. Small Axe 44.5 N Samaroo; 5. Desert Rose 53.5 V Charles; 6. Honey Belle 52.5 B Harding; 7. Running Trick (Res. 1) 45.5 R Freeman; 8. Panama Canal 56.5 S Todrigo; 9. Trying Something 52.5 F Razack; 10. Creme Caramel 53.5 R Jadoo; 11. Cheerleader 50.5 R Singh; 12. Classy Kim 53.5 R Thomas; 13. Serah’s Trick 50.5 W Galviz; 14. Tora Bora55.5 R Badal; 15. Never Ever Worrie 53.5 W Bharath; 16. Tea Time Doc 53.5 J Arneaud; 17. Dare To Dream 54.5 D Gaff.
RACE 8: (4.10 PM)  - PRESIDENT’S CUP (GROUP 2) - 1900 METRES - 1. Dottie’s Way 48 R Thomaas; 2. Carnival Messiah 46 R Jadoo; 3. Phantom Bidder 53.5 N Abrego; 4. Sugar Mike 56.5 B Harding; 5. Millenium Reign 50.5 W Galviz; 6. Golden Shufleur 50 L. Munoz; 7. Invincibility 52 H Emamalie.
RACE 9: (4.40 PM) - W.I BRED 3 Y.O. & OVER WINNERS & IMPORTED 3 Y.O. & OVER - ALLOWANCE - 1200 METRES - Isle Be True 50.5 H Emamalie; 2. Man of class56.5 L Munoz; 3. Movietowne Magic 50.5 R Jadoo; 4. Champagne Wager 56.5 S Rodrigo; 5. Punto A Punto 51.5 W Bharath; 6. Fortunate Flag 54.5 R Thomas; 7. Gold Conveyor 50.5 B Harding.
RACE 10: (5.15 PM) - THE OAKS STAKES - W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. FILLIES - 2000 METRES - 1. Joan Of Arc 55 L Munoz; 2. Wild Life 55 R Freeman; 3. Cornerstone 55 N Abrego; 4. Full Of Promises 55 S Rodrigo; 5. My Apohrodite 55 H Emamalie; 6. Millenium Dancer 55 B Harding; 7. Golden Honour 55 V Charlkes; 8. Sweet Tempo 55 W Galviz; 9. Firestorm 55 R Jadoo; Reign Of Fire 55 J Arneaud.
RACE 11: (5.50 PM) - RESTRICTED HANDICAP - W.I. BRED 3 Y.O. & OVER WINNERS & IMPORTED 3 Y.O. & OVER. - 1. Ring Dang Do 47 W Bharath; 2. Squee Zintru 46.5 N Samaroo; 3. Kalyan 46.5 R Thomas; 4. Bite De Bullet 54.5 S Rodrigo; 5. Game High 53.5 B Harding; 6. Lifge In Russia 48.5 F Razack; 7. Bajan Connection 49 G Laban; 8. Mandela 55.5 R Singh; 9. Splitting Image 53.5 H Emamalie; 10. Maid Of Honour 51.5 W Galviz; 11. Gaza Strip 50 R Jadoo; 12. Piece Of Cake 52.5 L Munoz; 13. Honor Bound 56.5 J Arneaud; 14. Squeezed Moment 48 L Keizer.