The Jamaican artiste Busi Signal's song was heard just after Santiago Gonzalez pushed the Glenn Mendez trained colt Touch D Road home to win the first jewel of local racing's Triple Crown, the Grade One NLCB Easter Guineas over 1,800 metres. The top Venezuelean rider could not have been more enterprising in his ride and settled the issue when he sprinted clear at the top of the straight, to win the $189,000 first prize cheque for owner, Junior Sammy.
With that victory, there is only one horse that can achieve Triple Crown Glory and that is Touch D Road.
As Touch D Road crossed the finish, line an ardent racefan stated, "You don't have to go to Jamaica to buy a Triple Crown winner. You can get them from right across the road at theHumming Bird Stables, a stone's throw away from the race track." The bay son of Big Country/Little Sophia was bred by Kenny De Silva (Jnr).
A happy Gonzalez, in his broken English said, "He is a very good horse. The trainer said that he will stay well, so it was up to me to decide when to go for home. He travelled easily throughout the race and I opted to go for home at the top of the straight.
Touch D Road quickened well, once I asked him to go. He is very smart horse and I will be back to partner him in the remaining classics. I am very happy to win this race for owner Junior Sammy and trainer Glenn Mendez, who thought it fit to bring me in to ride." Gonzalez was aboard Pride 'N' Glory which won the 2008 Derby by a short-head from favourite Donut Prince. Gonzalez guided Touch D Road home one lengths ahead of B's Passion, Loan Shark, Alexander and Treasure Girl, in that order. Touch D Road's time of 1:53.12 was some three second faster than the time posted by Willing To Spend, some years ago. Mendez, who is the only 'Triple Crown' winning trainer at Santa Rosa Park, has now landed this event for the fifth time in his career.
When asked about the winner's performance Mendez commented, "I always knew he was a good horse and he as improved significantly in the past month. I told Gonzalez to have him close up in about third or fourth position and he did just that. We knew the race would have lots of speed but it was up to him to decide when he wanted to make his move. Mendez, who was very confident about Touch D Road going into this event said, "My bringing in Gonzalez was significant as I feel Touch D Road is a serious Triple Crown contender. He added: "I told him he will not have any problem staying the trip. Now we will wait for the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Midsummer Classic in one month's time."
Owner Junior Sammy, who was the leading owner on Easter Monday with three winners, could not hide his delight. He said: "I am very happy for this victory, I am really proud to have another classic winner. Recently, I was under a lot of pressure, but in the the end, the result was well worth it. Gonzalez will be coming back to ride him in the other Triple Crown races."
