The Triple Crown series will begin on Monday when the Arima Race Club (ARC) stages one of the biggest cards since centralisation at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
At the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) press conference held at the NLCB Box in the Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain yesterday, owner Baskaran Bassawh pulled post position seven for the 2014 St James Stakes winner which won the Flamingo Stakes impressively last time out.
Arch-rival, the unbeaten Blue Tequilla from the Gary Subratie stable, will go around two turns for the first time. The Tasram Maharaj owned filly will be partnered by Dillon Khelawan and could be something special if she can win the first jewel in local racing's Triple Crown.
Chief executive officer of the Arima Race Club, Chris Armond stated that the $1 million bonus, which was not won last year by Momentum, is back. He also said that some 45 horses would be coming in from the end of April from Jamaica.
He said, "With Baskaran Bassawh being the owner of Bigman In Town and War Maker it would be a challenge for Bassawh to race his five year-old against his top three year old in the quest for the $1 million bonus."
Armond thanked sponsors NLCB for increasing the sponsorship by $50,000.
Ricardo Borde, deputy director of NLCB in his speech said, "I am happy to be here today to continue what seems like a tradition in local horse racing and today's media conference is an endorsement of the NLCB's association with the local horse racing industry.
"As you are aware, over the past few years, the NLCB has partnered with the Arima Race Club, in sponsoring the first leg of the Triple Crown–The Easter Guineas. This year would be no different, as the wheels are already in motion to ensure a very successful Race Day come April 6, 2015.
"As leaders in gaining, we continue to increase our stride and lead the pack of corporate sponsors for the first BIG race day event on the horse racing calendar. Just as we do with culture and education, community development and the arts, we take pride in our liberty to assist sport hence our consistent sustenance to this Sport of Kinggs."
The NLCB Champagne Stakes, another prestigious race on the calendar, will be in the spotlight and jockey Emile Ramsammy will be in the saddle. He will be aboard the turf champion Nominee for trainer Kenneth De Silva. His conqueror Thisoneisforron is also in the line up and will be ridden Nobel Abrego while stable and sprint champion Crime of Passion will race from stall nine under champion jockey Brian Boodramsingh.
Ramsammy, this country's most successful jockey, who has ridden over 2,500 career winners, will be seeking to put Nominee back on course.
Husbands, one of the most successful jockeys in the last decade at Woodbine, spent three weeks in Trinidad but will be riding in Jamaica this weekend.
The Guineas begins the most prestigious series in local racing and the winner of this race will also have to prevail in the Carib Brewery Midsummer Classic on Indian Arrival Day (May 30) and the NGC CNG Trinidad Derby Stakes on Republic Day (September 24), to become the second Triple Crown winner since Top Of The Class in 2003.
With prize-money of $315,000, the Guineas is the fifth richest race of the season.
The NGC CNG Trinidad Derby; the Toyota T&T Breeders Classic, which is contested on Emancipation Day (August 1) and the Boxing Day (December 26) Republic Bank Gold Cup, each offer $500,000, $50,000 more than the Midsummer.
This year's Guineas has been robbed of some interest as fans will not get the opportunity to witness the long awaited first meeting between last year's champion juveniles Soca Rhapsody and Mometum, unbeaten from three and four starts, respectively.
Feature Races
NLCB Easter Gunieas (GR 1R) - WI Bred 3 YO - 1800 M - $315,000.00 - 8
PP PTS Horse Trainer Jockey
5 55 Blue Tequila (Jam) Gary Subratie D Khelawan
7 42 War Marker (Jam) John O'Brien N Abrego
8 39 Serengeti John O'Brien W Galviz
3 28 Beterlatethannever John O'Brien B Boodramsingh
2 15 Hail The Chief (Jam) John O'Brien P Badrie
6 6 Fairyinthewind (Jam) Anthony C. Nunes K Khelawan
1 5 Legal Adviser (Jam) Anthony C. Nunes P Morales
4 Root of Jesse (Jam) Rolf Bartolo R Ali
Champagne Stakes (GR I) - OPEN TO ALL HORSES 3 YO AND OVER - 1600M (Turf) - $150,000-10
PP Rat Horse Trainer Jockey
9 110 Crime Of Passion (USA) John O'Brien B Boodramsingh
7 100 Nominee (USA) Kenneth De Silva Jnr E Ramsammy
2 100 Thisonesforron (Can) John O'brien N Abrego
8 96 Buffalo Soldier (USA) Harold Chadee A Whitehall
1 85 Sacred Trust (USA) Jose William - Samaroo K Khelawan
10 85 Magic Rust Seal (USA) Shaffique Khan J Stephen
5 83 Secret American (USA) Glenn Mendez W Galviz
3 83 Slewjero (USA) Harold Chadee R Angnoo
4 80 Scotus (USA) Glenn Mendez P Morales
6 76 Bandwagon 0 Harold Chadee D Khelawan