With First Citizen Bank sponsoring the first leg of local racing "Triple Crown", the Grade One - First Citizen Bank Guineas over 1,800 metres on the main track at Santa Rosa Park, Arima.
The First Citizens Guineas will be one of two the feature events on the Arima Race Club (ARC) seven-race holiday card today, with the President's Cup for the top-class horses over 1,900m being the next headline event.
The John O'Brien-trained Bella Riva which will be ridden by champion jockey Brian Boodramsing will no doubt be the short-priced favourite to win the $82,000 purse event. On form, she should oblige. However, she could have her biggest competition from stablemate Wise Guy which continues to improve.
In this event trainer, Harold Chadee has five horses entered headed by the highly regarded Golden D'or which will be ridden by Ricky Jadoo. Chadee also has American Traveller, Spring Valley, Airforce Won and Nuclear Fire engaged. The Chadee army could acquit themselves very well.
O'Brien’s other entrant is Princess Steffani and she must have a good chance on hitting the board. Clearly, the conditions of the event favour Bella Riva as the Jamaican-bred horses now have to give weight to our locally-bred horses.
In the co-feature President's Cup over 1,900m on the main track, John O'Brien saddles four of the eight runners headed by the Champion Stakes winner Apocalypse which will be ridden by Kimal Santo. However, on this occasion, the weights favour Making Headlines for which champion jockey Boodramsing is booked. After his run last time and his pull in the weight with his conqueror Apocalypse, it looks safe to say he will turn the table today. Last year's winner General JN must be respected and will again give a good account.
However, the talented Making Headlines, which will race with 51 kilos, must be the horse to fight Juice Man up the straight if he is back on song.
The Glenn Mendez-trained Horse Of The Year 2019, will be on a mission to redeem himself after 'Bleeding' last time out. If he is on song, he will prove difficult to pass.
Post time is 12.35 pm.
R5: 3.20PM - PRESIDENT'S CUP (GRADE 3) - OPEN TO ALL HORSES 3 YO & OVER - 1,900M - $41,100
713*1*Juice Man*G Mendez/R Jadoo*57*Will go close
171*2*Regal Intension*H Chadee/R iHernandez*51*Big shout
612*3*Affirmative*H Gobin/R Balgobin*48*Respected
161*4*Apocalypse*J O'Brien/K Santo*57*Repeat
322*5*Making Headlines*J O'Brien/B Boodramsing*51*Weighted to win
224*6*General JN*J O'Brien/K Khelawan*57*Big shout
135*7*Master Of War*H Gobin/R Ali*57*Ready for war
643*8*Thisonesforron*J O'Brien/K Balgobin*57*In tough
R6: 4 PM - FIRST CITIZENS GUINEAS (GR 1 R) - OPEN TO WI BRED 3 YO - 1800M -$82,000
363*1*Goldon D'Or*H Chadee/R Jadoo*57*Respected
424*2*American Traveller*H Chadee/D Khelawan*57*Chance
034*3*Spring Valley*H Chadee/N Samaroo*54*Can surprise
2R6*4*Airforce Won*H Chadee/R iHernandez*57*In tough
112*5*Wise Guy*J O'Brien/K Santo*54*Running on
111*6*Bella Riva*J O'Brien/B Boodramsing*51*The Winner
800*7*Red Casino*L Latchmansin/J Boodramsing*51*No form
515*8*CP Jet*R Frederick/N Abrego*54*Can surprise
211*9*Princess Steffani*J O'Brien/R Ali*51*Hattrick-seeker
663*10*Nuclear Fire*H Chadee/R Balgobin*57*Respected