The Frederick Stud Farm Limited owned colt Afterthebooks will race from pole position one in the 1,800 metres National Lottery Control Board (NLCB) Easter Guineas at Santa Rosa Park on Easter Monday.
The NLCB Guineas is one of two feature events on the Arima Race Club's (ARC) programme.
Pre-race favourite for the first jewel of the local racing "Triple Crown" is the John O'Brien trained Prince Zeshan. He will race from stall two as owner Mohali Stables selected that post position at the press conference held in the NLCB Suite at the Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain. The St James Stakes runner-up, War of Words, one of three entrants from the powerful O'Brien stable will race from stall six.
Leading rider and former champion jockey Emile Ramsammy will ride Pot of Gold for O'Brien and the Roma Sagan Maraj owned horse could go all the way.
Two years ago, the Glenn Mendez trained Touch D Road won this event before going on to win the Midsumer Classic but blotted his copy in the final "Triple Crown" event, the Derby. This year, the 'Magical Mendez' is without a runner in the event.
The Harold Chadee trained Run Ron which was impressive last time out, will race widest of all from stall eight. He will be ridden by Wilmer Galviz.
St Ann's third Heidi Tzippi, from the Rohit Dube Stables, will jump from pole position five for owner Betram Dookeran and she will be ridden by Ricky Jadoo. Others in the field include Black Peper and Readyfortheroad which hails from the top yard of Derick Mosca and champion owner Shivam Maharaj.
In the co-feature NLCB Champagne Stakes over 1,600 metres on the turf, the O'Brien trained Silverleo, the mount of Emile Ramsammy will race from pole position one. The 2012 Gold Cup winner Mobthewarrior from the Stephen Jardim stable will go close under champion jockey Brian Boodramsing who has no ride in the Guineas.
Top turf performer Just Call Me Roger from the Mendez barn will be ridden by Wilmer Galviz and he is expected to go close for owner Paul Mouttet. He will race from stall four.
The fastest horse on the turf Fly Junior will race from post position five for owner/trainer Maniram Maharaj.
President of the Arima Race Club, Hugh Lee King said, "The purses for the two features are $500,000."
He stated that the race was run on Indian Arrival Day and for three years, the NLCB have been sponsoring the event. He warned, however, that only one horse can win the "Triple Crown" and that will be the winner of the Guineas.
Vice Chairman of the NLCB, Ricardo Borde said that the sponsorship of NLCB is symbolic of NLCB commitment to the sport. He maintained that NLCB is bent on "giving back" and that too is symbolic. Borde said that the relationship between the ARC and the NLCB is timely and appropriate. Borde said that the ARC has key accounts and the NLCB was happy to associate and partner with the Arima Race Club.
He said that this race is the first in the Triple Crown series. In ending, he stated that racing plays an important part in the lives of many in Trinidad and Tobago. "Monday will be a fun day and there will be activities for all," he said as he encouraged all to come out to the races.
