I remember that some time ago, I would wait with baited breath to hear who former journalist, Anthony "Tony" Williams would select as his derby choice. Tony, as he was affectionately known would say, "I have seen the Derby winner." For the first time, in August, I am calling my selection. After looking at Onetokeep winning the inaugural running of the Betting Levy Board's (BLB) Trinidad and Tobago Breeders Classic, more than 1800 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, I am certain that, barring injury, this gelding will win the Derby on September24th-Republic Day. Really, I was shocked at the manner of the John O'Brien trained gelding's victory. From my perspective, Onetokeep would have won by a margin more than ½ to ¾ further than he won the Midsummer Classic. Punters were in for a surprise, as Brian Hardng flew the son of Big Country/Bandora out of the boxes and he led for a short time, before Harding decided to press the pace. I was really impressed with the manner in which Onetokeep tugged his rider's arms out going down the back, before Harding gave him an inch of rein, which saw him race into the lead at the far turn. Once in the lead, the Mary Camacho owned gelding never looked in danger of getting into a battle with any of his rivals. Yet, there was better to come as on straightening up Harding set the gelding alight and Onetokeep turned a competitive event into a romp.
Harding was clearly happy with the performance, as he answered his critics, who thought that his losing spell would go on forever. Harding said the gelding did it easily from The Big Squeeze and Big Thing. In 2011, The Betting Levy Board (BLB) came up with the notion to stage a classic event for only locally-bred three-year-olds and their idea became a reality at Santa Rosa Park, Arima on Emancipation Day, last Wednesday. With this win, Onetokeep sailed away as the top money-spinner for this year and the $300,000 first prize cheque could see, Onetokeep become the fastest millionaire in the history of the game in Trinidad and Tobago. The aptly named Onetokeep still has the Trinidad Derby and the Champion Stakes ahead and should he be victorious in both events, where he could win another $500,000. The "Classic" came on board at the perfect time, as locally-bred three-year-olds have been dominating this season, after being forced to play second fiddle to the Jamaican bred horses over the last few years. Looking at the running of some of the top three-year-olds in BLB Classic on August 1, some of the horses were ridden differently. The first horse I will look at is Big Thing, which was ridden very differently by Nobel Abrego. On this occasion, Abrego rode Big Thing close to pace and though he had every chance 500 metres out, he never quickened in the final 300 metres as has been the case in all his races. Certainly, on September 24th Abrego will be riding this horse as he normally does, one run. The riding up on the pace did not work and will be changed for the Trinidad Derby in the attempt to beat Onetokeep.
The second horse is Michael Carew (Jnr) trained, The Big Squeeze, winner of the Gleneagle Stakes. This horse is a thorough stayer but like Big Thing, was ridden much too close to the pace. This horse has shown that she can stay but prompting pace will not help her cause, if she is to beat Onetokeep. The Shaffique Khan trained, Unquestionable scored an upset victory in the Guineas but has disappointed in every event thereafter. The colt seems to have lost his way and though he possesses ability, it seems that all is not well. This year though, our horses have occupied the first three positions when the gates opened on the Triple Crown with the Easter Guineas on Easter Monday April 9 and it was a one-two-three for the red, white and black again, when the series continued with the Midsummer Classic on Indian Arrival Day May 30. The record will show that T&T bred fillies finished 1-2-3 in the Gleneagle Stakes a month ago. From my vantage point, there is nothing to beat the Mary Camacho home-bred, Onetokeep. He has shown that he has improved, when beating Big Thing further than he did in the second leg of the Triple Crown–The Midsummer Classic. Onetokeep can be ridden in any manner and can prompt the pace, as he did last time out. Therefore, he will be very difficult to beat. I don't think Onetokeep is in the same league as Top of The Class or Terremoto but with no Bears 'N' Bulls in sight, Onetokeep looks the winner of the 2012 Trinidad Derby.
