12 Derby runners get Independence prep

MIDSUMMER CLASSIC runner-up Celebration Time and Golden Honour, second place finisher in the Oaks Stakes were handed top weight of 56.5 kilos for their clash over 1750 metres on Monday (Independence Day). The top three-year-olds were asked to share the topweight in the 12-runner field framed for West Indian-bred three-year-old winners and their older peers  who are yet to win three races. This duo has been asked to concede a minimum of one kilo to Beautiful Mind, five to Barbadian runner Royal Red and a maximun 9.5 kilos to bottom-weights Van Nistelrooy and My Aphrodite. The race is a showcase to the final leg of the triple crown as the full compliment of runners in the staying event are among the final 21 for which final subscriptions were paid for the Royal Oak Derby on September 24.

Fantastic Lad and Gettesburgh, and Mandela were also asked to head the weights with 56.5 kilos in the other two handicaps on the  holiday card on which the feature will be the Independence Cup. Co-topweights Fantastic Lad and Gettesburg will face off against eight West Indian-bred three-year-old runners over 1100 metres. Mandela will tote his burden against a mixture of West Indian bred and imported runners over 1750 metres in a Restricted Handicap. Set to take on Mandela in the event en-route to the Royal Oak Derby are Oaks Stakes winner Sweet Tempo, and Sweet Dreams one of three Barbadian runners who arrived here last week to contest next month’s Blue Riband. Following are the framed races, entries and weights for the three handicaps.  

RACE 8: HANDICAP - W I BRED 3 Y.O NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES IN CAREER - PURSE $18,000 - 1100 METRES.
1. Fantastic Lad - 56.5, 2. Gettesburgh - 56.5, 3. Joan Of Arc - 56, 4. Hyarima - 54, 5. Classy Kim - 53.5, 6. Sweet Laura Lee - 50.5, 7. Victoria Leia - 50, 8. Return To Glory - 49, 9. First Time - 48.5, 10. Finest Gem - 48.5.

RACE 9: RESTRICTED HANDICAP W I BRED 3 Y.O AND OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER - PURSE $21,000 - 1750 METRES.
1. Mandela - 56.5, 2. Game High - 54.5, 3. Gaza Strip - 54, 4. Notanothernoble - 53.5, 5. Squee Zintru - 52, 6. Piece Of Cake - 51.5, 7. Sweet Dreams - 51.5, 8. Sweet Tempo - 51.5, 9. Kalyan - 48.5, 10. New star - 48.5, 11. Life In Russia - 48.5, 12. Ring Dang Do - 47, 13. Maracas Bay - 45, 14. City Of Lights - 44.5.

RACE 10: HANDICAP - W I BRED 3 Y.O WINNERS AND W I BRED 4 Y.O & OVER NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES IN CAREER - PURSE $21,000 - 1750 METRES.
1. Celebration Time - 56.5, 2. Olden Honour - 56.5, 3. Beautiful Mind - 55.5, 4. Undisputed - 54.5, 5. Royal Red - 53.5, 6. Super Grey - 52.5, 7. Loud Music - 52.5, 8. Affirm Decision - 50, 9. Hannibal’s Will - 49, 10. Sir Vidia - 48.5, 11. Van Nistelrooy - 47, 12. My Aphrodite - 47.