MEXICO CITY: Trinidad and Tobago’s four-time Olympic sprint medallist Ato Boldon has withdrawn from Saturday’s IAAF Grand Prix meeting in Mexico with a left leg strain.

Meet organisers say Boldon called on Sunday night to inform them he was unable to compete, dashing the fans’ chance to see his 100-metre clash with world record holder Tim Montgomery. Event coordinator German Silva said another racer of similar standing would likely be brought in as a replacement. Boldon, who won double bronze at the Atlanta Olympics, and silver and bronze four years later at Sydney 2000, suffered the injury while competing at the Mount SAC Relays in California earlier this month. Silva said Australian 400-metre Olympic champion Cathy Freeman was set to fly in for the event on Thursday.

QHARLEM escaped with a 14-12 victory over Zenith in the Barbara Chandleur “B1” Division of the Port-of-Spain Netball League at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo.

Veronica Baptiste scored seven goals from 12 attempts and Nikeisha Cain, seven from 14, for the Harlem girls. Kerensa Baptiste scored 10 of her 13 attempts and Petal Wilkins had two of three for Zenith in Monday’s match. But the thriller of the afternoon came in the Barbara Burnette “B2” Division when Horizon eked out a slender 8-7 win over Soul City with Lee Ann Pierre scoring five goals and Josee Thomas, three.  Soul City used three shoots, with both Nailah Coltee and Nicola Small scoring three goals each and Lakirta Douglas, one.
Other scores:

Barabara Chandleur “B1” Division — LAS LOMAS (18) Sarah Romero 8, Kelly Ann James 6, Emily DeLeon 4 vs ST. JUDE’S (9) Neikeisha St. John 6, Milika Ishamel 3; PRINTERY SPORTS (16) Kinda Neptuyne 14, Kimberly Young 1, Adanna Benn 1 vs UPPERS (12) Samantha Joseph 8, Sherneeka Williams 4.
Barbara Burnette “B2” Division —- UPPERS (8) Onika Borel 5, Maguitta Clement 3 vs PRINTERY SPORTS (3) Tasha Bernard 2, Shannon Dottin 1; HARLEM (12) Naisa Thorne 7, Ayanna Dennis 5 vs ARIMA BALL MASTERS (10) Candice Castle 6, Cindy-Ann Jackson 4; MUCURAPO EX-PUPILS (11) Annoula Camejo 8, Nicholan Skeete 3 vs CS JETS (6) Cavalon Coker 4, Rachel Dillon 2.

UTILITY player Stacy Sparks, appearing at goal-attack scored 16 goals from 20 attempts to carry champions Defence Force to a comfortable 50-34 victory over San Juan Jabloteh in a Pearl Francis Premier Division netball match at Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo.

The Army-Coast Guard combination got their other 34 goals from goal-shoot  Anastascia Wilson from 45 arttempts. Defence Force led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter of Saturday’s match, but  saw their opponents battle back to trail only 22-20 at the halftime interval. The local club netball queens outscored Jabloteh 13-5 to lead at the three-quarter stage 35-25 before cruising to victory. Last season’s runners-up Police romped past Chips 60-25 in another Premier Division encounter with Patrice Goruing scoring 49 goals and Beverly Rodgers, 11. Paula Charles-Basant had 11, Sharon Hackett, 12 and Denise Rose, two for the losers.

Other results:
Pearl Francis Premier Division —MUCURAPO EX-PUPILS (49) Donna Thomas 7, Simone Morgan 42 vs ARIMA UNITED (44) Janelle Barker 31, Merlicia Lovell 13.
Angela “Pinky” Drayton “A1” Division — HORIZON (41) Chevi-Ann George 31, Susan Squires 10 vs ZENITH (27) Helen Curden 23, Melissa Adams 4; NETACES (32) Cheryl-Ann Warren 22, Marissaa Lewis 7, Karen Sandiford 3 vs ARIMA BALL MASTERS (29) Iana Hamlet 20, Kathy Ann Cain 9; MALTA CARIB SENATORS (36) Kathleen Antoine 19, Ayana Moore 17 vs SPARKLES (36) Sarah Hutchinson 19, Jeanel Hutchinson 17.
Lady Erna Reece Intermediate Division 1 – TRENDSETTERS (27) Stacty Pierre 26, Giselle Barrow 1 vs ARIMA UNITED (16) Clarissa Bramble 12, Alana Paynter 4; GOV. PRINTERY (26) Candis Nelson 24, Candy Hazelwood 2 vs MUCURAPO EX-PUPILS (17) Andrina Eve 4, Sheneika Noel 13; ARIMA BALL MASTERS (19) Melissa Snaggs 11, Marissa Williams 8 vs CHIPS (19) Denyse Gibbs 6, Rhonessa Williams 13; SAN JUAN JABLOTEH (33) Melina Young 8, Joycelyn Marcelle 25 vs POLICE (22) |Guisher Grant 21, Cinderlie James 1.
Barbara Chandleur B1 Division — UPPERS (18) Samantha Joseph 14, Sherneeka Williams 4 vs HORIZON (15) Sherry Thomas 1, K’Lene Lewis 11, Annissa Bartholomew 3; ZENITH (20) Kelsha Applewaite 7, Kkerensa Laptiste 1, Petal Williams 12 vs CIL SPARKLES (11) Nalarsha Roy 3, Crystal Andrews 8.

The sport of Adventure Racing will be in the spotlight on Saturday with  the Lucozade Sport North Cross 2003 Adventure Race.

The course will take betwenn four and seven hours to complete and involves running/trekking, swimming, mountain biking, ropes, special tests and orienteering (using map and compass), all in the trails and roads of Samaan Park, Chaguaramas. The event is sponsored by Lucozade Sport, Blue Waters, Solimar and Geronimo’s Cycle and Sports Ltd. Introduced to Trinidad and Tobago by Ryan Mendes and Bruce Hay two years ago, the sport which originated in New Zealand, refers to competitions comprised of several rugged outdoor events occurring almost non-stop over a period ranging from hours to days.  A competitor briefing will be held today at the Chinese Association, St Ann’s Road, St Ann’s at 5 pm and on Saturday at 6 am there will be a final pre-race briefing.

Palo Seco Sporting Club’s Jules LaRode confirmed his position as the top local middle-distance runner when he whipped all-comers in the 800, 1500 and 5000 metres at the Point Fortin Civic Centre Games at Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin.

LaRode had taken care of his regional rivals at the Southern Games staged at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre over 800 and 1500 metres. Running on the grass track on Sunday, his challengers had no answer to his pacing and power finishes as he won the men’s 800 metres in two minutes 02:51 secs from Pointe-a-Pierre’s Paul Beckett (2.03:29) and Neon Trackers’ Kern Glen (2.03:74). In the 1500 metres, LaRode showed his junior counterpart and the newly-crowned Carifta Games gold medallist Carlan Arthur of Morvant Jets that he needs to do a lot more speed work to topple his seniors. LaRode won easily in 4.13:16 secs while Arthur clocked 4.15:04 secs. Displaying tremendous stamina and excellent running form, La Rode raced unchallenged and won the feature 5,000 metres in convincing fashion. He returned a time of 17.15:16 secs and led home PFCC’s Brian Francis (18.12.04) and his Palo Seco’s clubmate Jesse Cross (23.04:72).

However, young Arthur proved his worth by winning the Boys Under-20 800 metres in 2.03:30 secs from Memphis’ Kern Harripersad who clocked 2.05:38 secs and Simplex’s McKellar Quashie (2.07:88). Harripersad, a former Carifta Under-17 champion, was too good for opponents in the Boys Under-20 400, which he won in 51.73 secs. Palo Seco’s Jason Elton placed second with 52.28 secs while McKella Quashie had to settle for another bronze with a 52.93 secs timing. Among the senior sprinters, Memphis’ Simon Pierre registered the notable double in the 200 (22.03 secs) and 400 metres (51.10) while the 100 metres dash was taken by Police’s Shane Dyer (10.69 secs) ahead of Simplex’s Dwight Neptune (10.71) and Memphis’ Kevin Springer (10.80).

Dianne Crooks of Health Olympians showed a clean pair of heels to her rivals in taking the women’s sprint double. She won the 100 in 12.51 secs and the 200 in 26.42. In both events she led home Brooklyn’s Janice Clayton 12.60 and Neon Trackers’ Natalie Dixon 12.34. The positions were reversed in the 200 metres with Dixon (26.44) in second place to Clayton with a time of 26.62. Dixon won the 400 metres in 1.01:57 secs from Memphis Devonne Quow (1.03:53) who returned to take the 800 metres in 2.33:82 secs. Carifta Games Under-20 100 metres bronze medallist Wanda Hutson of Memphis won her age group 100 metres in 12:03 secs but was beaten into second position in the metric furlong (200 metres) by Gabriella David who clocked 24:42 secs to Hutson’s 25:51. Quantum’s Chevonne Simpson took the Boys Under-100 metres dash in 10:93 secs ahead of  Simplex’s Joel Maloney (10:98 secs) who narrowly edged out his club mate Nicholas Augustus in the 200 metres. Augustus returned 22:88 secs to Maloney’s 22:91.

Palo Seco’s Kevin Tobias dominated the Under-17 boy’s category by winning the 200 (23:10 secs) and 400 metres (53:40). He had to settle for the silver in the 100 metres (11:42), which was won by Memphis’ Jamal Clinton in 11:36 secs. According to former Olympian and 200 and 400 metres champion Alvin Daniel, the coach and chief livewire of the Point Fortin Civic Centre Athletics Club, the third annual Games was made possible through major financial contributions from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Petrotrin and Trinmar.

Miss Lover Lover and Song Of Freedom are set to clash in the Starter Allowance feature on the Arima Race Club Day 13 card at Santa Rosa Park on Saturday.

The 1100 metres dash will see both top American imports doing battle for the first time since their muddling affair in March, in which the winner Sugar Mike was disqualified, only to be reinstated as the winner on appeal to the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority. It the event Song of Freedom was awarded the race by the presiding stewards, who felt the winner was responsible for the fall of  Miss Lover Lover.

Their re-match over an identical trip looks similar in nature to their first encounter with My Son John, who was found culpable and disqualified from third for leaving a true line, Gold Master, and In Swinger again among Saturday’s line-up of eight sprinters in the $20,000 event. Fifteen West Indian bred three-year-olds maidens will also come under the microscope in the 1750 metres contest sharing spotlight on the nine-race card. Listed among the principles in the staying event are Trinidad Turf Club Easter Guineas failures Sir Vidia, Hannibal’s Will and Naturelly Classy. Following are the framed races, entries, weights and jockeys for the entire card.

RACE 1: (12.55pm) HANDICAP – IMPORTED 3 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $20,000 – 1300 METRES.
1. PATTIE’S NO ANGEL – 46 – D.GAFF, 2. LOVELY HONOREE – 52.5 – L.KEIZER, 3. RING DANG DO – 53.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 4. KALYAN – 52 – K.BISSOON, 5. FORTUNATE FLAG – 56.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 6. SARATONE – 44.5 – K.JADOO.

RACE 2: (1.32pm) HANDICAP – W.I BRED 4 Y.O & OVER MAIDENS AND W.I BRED 4 Y.O WHICH HAVE NOT EARNED $1,500 SINCE 3/11/02 – PURSE $11,000 – 1250 METRES.
1. JENA’S DELIGHT – 51.5 – D.GAFF, 2. ONCE IN A LIFETIME – 51.5 – L.MUNOZ, 3. FIRST LOVE – 56 – J.ARNEAUD, 4. CAT WOMAN – 46 – L.KEIZER, 5. COTONOU – 51 – L.SEECHARAN, 6. COLOUR OF PEACE – 49 – G.LABAN, 7. REJOICE – 56.5 – F.RAZACK, 8. BRANDY – 51 – W.BHARATH.

RACE 3: 2.06pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($6,000 – $5,000) – PURSE $11,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. MYSTILE – 48.5 – N.SAMAROO, 2. REGENT BOY – 48.5 – K.JADOO, 3. CASH REWARD – 49.5 – G.LABAN, 4. CLASSIC STAR – 51.5 – R.SINGH, 5. STORMING WIND – 55.5 – R.HIBBERT, 6. KAY GEE BEE – 50.5 – K.BISSOON, 7. GROOMSMAN – 53.5 – R.MANGALEE, 8. DAURIAN – 50.5 – S.RODRIGO, 9. UNCLE JOE – 52.5 – D.GAFF.

RACE 4: (2.43pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($14,000 – $11,000) – PURSE $16,000 – 1750 METRES.
1. ACTUAL LADY – 50.5 – K.BISSOON, 2. INDIAN DECISION – 51.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 3. INDIAN RHAPSODY – 47.5 – W.BHARATH, 4. CITY OF LIGHTS – 55.5 – W.GALVIZ, 5. EL GUERROUJ – 55.5 – F.RAZACK, 6. TORONTO STAR – 51.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 7. ENTERTAINER – 54.5 – R.JADOO, 8. BALTHAZAR – 55.5 – S.RODRIGO, 9. FEMALE BANDIT – 50.5 – R.HIBBERT, 10. BOLD FAPP – 49.5 – L.SEECHARAN.

RACE 5: (3.20pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING (7,500 – $6,500) – PURSE $14,000 – 1150 METRES.
1. LOVELY PEARL – 53.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 2. EL PRESIDENTE – 48.5 – F.RAZACK, 3. ERIN DNACER – 48.5 – D.GAFF, 4. BADPAYJAMESEE – 49.5 – L.KEIZER, 5. RONALDO – 51.5 – D.GAFF, 6. JUSTICE – 53.5 – K.BISSOON, 7. TAKE CHARGE – 53.5 – R.HIBBERT, 8. SPIN ‘N’SQUEEZE – 48.5 – W.GALVIZ.

RACE 6: (3.55pm) STARTER ALLOWANCE – W.I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $20,000 – 1100 METRES.
1. MISS LOVER LOVER – 50.5 – R.JADOO, 2. RED HILL – 47.5 – K.BISSOON, 3. MY SON JOHN – 52.5 – R.HIBBERT, 4. FOUCAULT PENDULUM – 49.5 – G.LABAN, 5. NANDO – 46.5 – W.GALVIZ, 6. IN SWINGER – 53.5 – R.FREEMAN, 7. GOLD MASTER – 50.5 – L.MUNOZ, 8. SONG OF FREEDOM – 56.5 – S.RODRIGO.

RACE 7: (4.35pm) W.I BRED 3 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $20,000 – 1750 METRES.
1. TEA TIME DOC – 53.5 – L.KEIZER, 2. MILFORD – 47.5 – R.JADOO, 3. FRESH MANDATE – 54.5 – W.GALVIZ, 4. FREE ZONE – 52.5 – N.SAMAROO, 5. FORTALEZA – 51.5 – S.RODRIGO, 6. SIR VIDIA – 56.5 – R.HIBBERT, 7. HANNIBAL’S WILL – 54.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 8. FINEST GEM – 52.5 – F.RAZACK, 9. CREME CARAMEL – 45.5 – G.LABAN, 10. COPY CAT – 53.5 – K.JADOO, 11. YAA ASANTEWAA – 51.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 12. BAGGY GREEN – 47.5 – D.GAFF, 13. JOAN OF ARC – 51.5 – R.LATCHMAN, 14. NATURELLY CLASSY – 55.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 15. PRINCIPLE – 45.5 – W.BHARATH.

RACE 8: (5.10pm) HANDICAP – W.I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES – PURSE $16,000 – 1300 METRES (TURF).
1. QUEEN’S BAND – 54 – R.LATCHMAN, 2. SUPER GREY – 54 – D.GAFF, 3. KENT’S DELIGHT (T.0) – 49 – R.JADOO, 4. UPSET ALL – 51.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 5. SUNDAY PURCHASE(T.O) – 52 – F.RAZACK, 6. SWEET TEMPO – 55 – N.SAMAROO, 7. FULL OF PROMISES – 53.5 – R.HIBBERT, 8. PEACE CONSORT – 49.5 – W.BHARATH, 9. MIR ON FIRE – 56.5 – R.FREEMAN, 10. HYARIMA – 51.5 – L.KEIZER.

RACE 9: (5.40pm) RESTRICTED HANDICAP – W.I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $18,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. BON VOYAGE – 49 – R.RAJKUMAR, 2. KASER’S GOLD – 49 – R.LATCHMAN, 3. SQUEE ZINTRU – 51.5 – W.GALVIZ, 4. CARNIVAL MESSIAH – 54.5 – N.SAMAROO, 5. MANDELA – 53.5 – L.MUNOZ, 6. BITE DE BULLET – 55 – S.RODRIGO, 7. MORGAN HERITAGE – 54.5 – R.HIBBERT, 8. HONOR BOUND – 57.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 9. TRICKY GUY – 45 – R.JADOO.

LONDON: Cabeza de Vaca met one too good on three occasions as a juvenile but looks capable of breaking his duck in the Manny Bernstein Minimum 5 Per Call Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Redcar today.

The son of Lahib is clearly no superstar but Mark Johnston’s horses are now coming to hand after being held up in their homework due to the prolonged dry spell.  He meets nothing out of the ordinary here and he goes well on top of the ground to boot. Tim Easterby’s My American Beauty is worth a look in the Manny Bernstein Pay Double Result Fillies’ Handicap. She cut little ice when only 10th at Thirsk earlier this month on her return from a lengthy break but is only a 1lb higher than when just touched off in a decent contest at Pontefract last July. There was plenty to like about the debut of Peruvian Style even though the Nick Littmoden-trained colt was just beaten a head by Iron Temptress in a firm-ground Beverley maiden. He attempted to make all and travelled particularly well before just running out of steam close home.

The experience will have done him the world of good and there should be more to come in the Manny Bernstein Credit And Debit Betting Maiden Auction Stakes. Paul Felgate’s Prime Recreation stands out in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap at Southwell where he looks well treated on some of his old form. The six-year-old won a better race than this at Kempton on his latest start. He is not always one to rely on but there was little wrong with that latest effort when he made all and he is the one to be on in this class E affair. Caroubier should take all the beating in the Memorial Of St Joseph The Workman Claiming Stakes. Jamie Osborne’s three-year-old ran out an impressive six-length winner over today’s course and distance in handicap company last time.

SELECTIONS: REDCAR: 2.20 Peruvian Style, 2.55 Sea Jade, 3.25 Bodfari Pride, 3.55 My American Beauty, 4.25 CABEZA DE VACA (NAP), 4.55 Sporting Gesture. 
SOUTHWELL: 2.30 Four Amigos, 3.05 Caroubier, 3.35 Just Jennifer, 4.05 Prime Recreation, 4.35 Boisdale, 5.05 Bond May Day. 
HEREFORD: 2.10 Comanche War Paint, 2.45 Macgeorge, 3.15 Fin Bec, 3.45 Kadlass, 4.15 Maiden Voyage, 4.45 Tumbleweed Glen, 5.15 Misty Future. 
DOUBLE: Cabeza de Vaca and Peruvian Style.