Kelvin 'N'
The John O'Brien trained four-year-old chestnut colt General JN won the feature event over 1750 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park, Arima on Saturday. The Jerry Narace owned thoroughbred could not have been more impressive in victory under apprentice Rico Hernandez as he landed his hattrick of victories and in the process turned back all his challengers whom he beat in the Presidents Cup on June 19, during the Labour day card.
General JN who won the first two legs of local racing 'Triple Crown' in 2018, returned to racing earlier this year with two superb victories was sent off as the 4-5 favourite to win the feature Handicap for horses rated 80 and Over and he did not disappoint.
When the starter sent the seven-horse field on its way in the $51,000 purse event, general JN was the first to show from Nuclear Power with rank outsider and stable-mate of Nuclear Power American Dillon pressing for the lead. These were followed by Root of Jesse, Master of war and Thisonesforron was one from last with Caesar Country contented to observe from the rear.
Going up the back-straight, Rico Hernandez restrained General JN who settled in the third spot behind the Shivam Maharaj owned pair of Nuclear Power and American Dillon.
Going to the far turn American Dillon held a slender advantage over stablemate Nuclear Power, as the pair surged six lengths clear on General JN on which Hernandez asked to close the gap. Root Of Jesse was still in touch and was trying to keep pace as Thisonesforron moved closer to the leaders. Master of War and Caesar Country showed no intention of getting involved.
Coming to the corner Nobel Abrego sent the 2018 Gold Cup winner Nuclear Power into the lead from stablemate American Dillon who cried enough as General JN cruised menacingly up to challenge. Thisonesforron moved into the third position as American Dillon began his retreat, while Root of Jesse tried to stay in touch with the others well beaten off.
With 300 left in the event, General JN easily went by Nuclear Power, who had no answer to his change of gear and the Jamaican bred colt ran away for an impressive 1 1/2 lengths success. Nuclear Power stayed on for second with Thisonesforron in third and Root of Jesse passing the post in fourth.
General JN recorded the time of 1:50.03 for the trip.
On a day dominated by apprentice jockeys , young apprentice Kimal Santo rode his first hattrick of wins in his career when he piloted Chinta for trainer Lester Alexis in the second event, before riding Unsettled to victory for trainer Shaffique Khan and ended his winning streak by landing Miss Whirl home in the fourth for trainer Harold Chadee.
No trainer was able to saddle two winners on the ARC seven-race programme.
Racing takes a break this week and returns on Saturday, August 24th.