In front of a mammoth Republic Day Crowd at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, favourite Juice Man landed the final leg of local racing’s ‘Triple Crown’ when swept to the feature Carib Brewery Limited Trinidad Derby Stakes on Tuesday.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite in the 10-horse field for the prestigious ‘Run For The Roses’ over 2,000 metres, Juice Man gave trainer Glenn Mendez his fifth derby winner and his second in two years, as he also won in 2018 with Cape Canaveral.
Ricky Jadoo, by virtue of his 1/2 length success, joined former legend Challenor Jones as having won six derbys, became the oldest jockey to ever win a derby and is now also the winningest jockey in the history of the sport in Trinidad and Tobago.
When starter Carlton Ramsaroop sent the field on their way, a loud roar erupted as Regal Intension, Juice Man, Marengo, La Reine, Blue Navigator battled for the lead on a fast track. They were followed by Visionary, Apocalypse, News Flash and Making Headlines, as Memories was contented to observe from the rear.
Going down the back-stretch, Marengo held sway from La Reine with Juice Man close up. These were followed by the Bajan invader Visionary and tracked by Regal Intension and Blue Navigator, as Apocalypse began to take closer order.
However, at the far turn the race began in earnest with Jadoo allowing Juice Man to join La Reine at the head of affairs, as Regal Intension came under pressure with Apocalypse and Brian Boodramsing moving up menacingly to challenge.
As the field turned for home another roar erupted as Juice Man was joined by Apocalypse and the patrons at Santa Rosa Park voiced their approvals. Juice Man and Apocalypse then began to pull away from La Reine as Making Headlines and Regal Intension battled on.
Inside the final 300 metres, however, Juice Man pulled a length clear of Apocalypse to finish in 2:05.15 with Making Headlines running on.
But just as the cheers were going up for the Justyn Kanta Persad-owned Jamaican-bred colt Juice Man, Boodramsing conjured up another effort from Apocalypse, who began to make in-roads into Juice Man’s lead. The pair battled to the line but Jadoo and Juice Man was not for the catching and repelled the challenge of Apocalypse to win the $143,118 first prize cheque. Making Headlines was third and Regal Intension fourth.
Speaking afterwards, a very happy Glenn Mendez said, “He (Juice Man) has done nothing wrong in his preparation for this race. The programme worked and he performed with distinction again. This is the first time in some in 15 years that a horse has run the time of 2:05.15.
“The last time we saw that time was 2003 when Top of The Class won with Ricky Jadoo. I must say that Ricky rode a superb race and the race panned out just as we planned but Appocalypse pushed us all the way to the line. It was a great battle.”
Owner Justyne Kanta Persad was overwhelmed after watching his colt win the Derby.
“This is absolutely amazing. We know he had the ability, as he had shown when winning his first three races and trainer Mendez had him trained to the minute. Ricky Jadoo rode a brilliant race and we are all happy for our fist Derby success,” Kanta Persad told the T&T Guardian.
In the co-feature Grade Three - Carib Brand Diamond Stakes over 1,350 metres, the John O’Brien-trained General JN proved he was a champion when he raced to a half-length success from outside Master of War, with Thisonesforron back in third. However, General JN was just a tick off the track record set by Bigman In Town of 1:18.1.
Ridden with utmost confidence by Rico Hernandez, he tracked the fierce pace set by Pasueforacoors, Whisper Light and Master of War. However, once the horses swung for home, Master of War was the one to catch and when Hernandez set General JN down for the drive he responded to put 3/4 of a length on Master of War, with Thisonesforron coming with a determined effort. But the Jerry Narace-owned horse would not be defeated and remains unbeaten for the 2019 season. Master of War was second at 19-1 with Thisonesforron third.
Training honours for the day went to Glenn Mendez, who saddled three winners while riding honours fell to Ricky Jadoo, who rode three winners.
Racing takes a rest this Saturday and returns on October 5 for Day 31 of the Arima Race Club season.
ARC REPUBLIC DAY 30 RESULTS
R1: CARIB – W.I BRED 2 Y.O. MAIDENS - 900m - $36,500
1 (4) American Traveller W Galviz 55.0
2 (3) Goldon D’or K Santo 52.0
3 (5) Money Broker T Phillips 52.5
4 (1) First Son J Boodramsing 54.0
Time: 0:54.2 DISTANCES: 1 1/4, 1 1/2, 9 1/4.
$1PARI: (4) $1.35; $1.15; (3) $1.25
$1EXACTA: $2.20
TRIFECTA: $7.30
SUPERFECTA: $18.70
WINNER: 2 y.o. Colt - American Dance/Fiftyshadesoffray(Zanjero)
OWNER: Dave Chadee TRAINER: H Chadee
BREEDER: Messrs Richard N. Azan & Alexander Haber
ALSO RAN: 5.CP J Arneaud 55.0; 6. Proud Venessa O Mohammed 52.5; 7. Red Knuckles R Balgoin 50.5.
NON-RUNNER: Spring Valley.
R2: STAG – W.I. BRED 3 Y.O AND OVER MAIDENS – 1,200m - $36,500
1 (8) The Dark Knight R Jadoo 57.0
2 (7) Welcometodparty N Samaroo 57.0
3 (4) Prince George A Poon 55.0
4 (1) Tiz Show Time R Balgobin 53.0
TIME: 1:19.4 DISTANCES: 11 3/4, 1/4, 1 3/4
$1PARI: (8) $1.25; $1.35; (7) $1.85
$1EXACTA: $5.70
TRIFECTA: $18.30
SUPERFECTA: $153.75
WINNER: 3 y.o Dk B Colt - Da Vinci/Sonata’s Melody (Concerto)
OWNER: Mr Gap TRAINER: G Mendez
BREEDER: Gary Pierre
ALSO RAN: 5. Princess Alex Y Serrano 54.0; 6. Midnight Casanova B Boodramsing 57.0; 7. Lady Hamilton 51.0.
NON-RUNNER: Bella Dama, Rockin Aniley
R3: CARIB LIGHT – MODIFIED BENCHMARK HANDICAP 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 50-35 – 1,200m - $30,940
1 (7) Nabawi Y Serrano 57.0
2 (8) Jesse’s Girl R Ali 56.0
3 (3) Well Connected T Phillips 54.0
4 (6) The Gatsby K Santo 55.5
TIME: 1:06.1 DISTANCES: 1 3/4, 6 1/2, 1 1/4
$1 PARI: (7) $7.60; $3.10; (8) $2.85
EXACTA: $40.20
TRIFECTA: $240.60
SUPERFECTA: $506.80
WINNER: 5 y.o B gelding - Big Country/Sikhara (The Cliff’s Edge)
OWNER: Maikea De Souze TRAINER: M Lutchman
BREEDER: Zanim Ralph Meahjohn
ALSO RAN: 5. Cool Cat N Mohammed 55.5; 6. Signal Note S Balroop 53.5; 7. Actus Reus J Arneaud 58.0
NON-RUNNERS: Lancelot, Highland Lass.
R4: HEINEKEN - MODIFIED BENCHMARK HANDICAP 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 60-435 – 1,600M (TURF) - $34,000
1 (4) Unsettled K Santo 51.0
2 (3) Fast’N’Furious R Jadoo 55.5
3 (7) Trovatore K Khelawan 55.0
4 (2) She Izza Lady T Phillips 55.5
TIME: 1:51.2 DISTANCES: 1/2, 1 1/4, Hd, 10 1/2.
$1PARI: (4) $36.20; $4.10; (3) $1.30 (7) $1.35.
$1EXACTA: $130.20
TRIFECTA: $435.20
SUPERFECTA: $1,240.50
WINNER: 4 y.o. DK B Filly – Settle Up/Muchos Halos (Halo’s Image)
OWNER: Tharan Maharaj TRAINER: S khan
BREEDER: Paradise Farms Limited
ALSO RAN: 5. Discouldrun W Galviz 54.5; 6. Zhiliang A Poon 51.0; 7.Tiger’s Eye S Balroop 53.0; 8. Feel The Heat Y Settano 52.5; 9. Khaleesi K Balgobin 55.5.
R5: GUINNESS - MODIFIED BENCHMARK HANDICAP 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 40-25 – 1,100M (TURF) - $28,200
1 (3) Colonel James N Abrego 57.5
2 (11) Uhuru N Ward 57.0
3 (12) Cloud Dancer A Poon 53.5
4 (8) Vantage Point Ro Hernandez 57.5
5 (9) Asajj Ventress S Balroop 54.0
TIME: 1:06.3 DISTANCES: 3 1/4, 1 1/2, 3/4, Sh Head.
$1PARI: (3) $1.85; $1.60 (11) $2.25; (12) $3.05
$1EXACTA: $14.35
TRIFECTA: $128.75
SUPERFECTA: $274.85
Hi-5: $8,955.00
WINNER: 4 y.o B gelding - Colonel John/Never Defeated (Pioneer of The Nile)
OWNER: Charles James TRAINER: J Lyder
BREEDER: Charles James
ALSO RAN: 6. Asian Princess W Galviz 56.0; 7. Messi K Santo 51.0; 8. Market Leader R Ali 57.5; 9. Sexy Eyes O Mohammed 53.0; 10. Pure Pleasure T Phillips 52.0; 11. Private Enterprise R Balgobin 54.0: 12. Locator N Mohammed 57.5.
R6: CARIB BRAND – DIAMOND STAKES (GRADE THREE) OPEN TO WI BRED 3 YO & OVER AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O AND OVER – 1350M - $104,766
(5) GeneralJN Ri Hernandez 57.0
2 (8) Master Of War Y Serrano 54.0
3 (4) Thisonesforron K Khelawan 57.0
4 (3) Nuclear Power K Santo 56.0
TIME: 1:18.10 DISTANCES: 1/2, 1 1/4, 1/2.
$1PARI: (5) $1.85; $1.45; (8) $4.10; (4) $1.65
EXACTA: $65.00
TRIFECTA: $170.70
SUPERFECTA: $680.10
WINNER: 4 y.o ch colt - Forest Dancer/Sea Treaty (Law Of The Sea)
OWNER:Jerry R Naracemr TRAINER: J O’Brien
BREEDER: Everglades Farm limited (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 5. Whisper Light S Balroop 57.0; 6. Valorous R Jadoo 52.0; 7. Stockyard N Mohammed 55.0; 8. Caesar Country K Razack 49.5; 9. Pauseforacoors B Boodramsing 54.0.
R7: SHANDY - MODIFIED BENCHMARK HANDICAP 3 Y.O & OVER HORSES RATED 60-40 – 1,300M - $41,225
1 (2) Lord Silver Ri Hernandez 53.5
2 (5) Sunset Cloud N Samaroo 55.0
3 (6) Early Bird B Boodramsing 55.0
4 (3) Princess Sophia R Ali 57.5
TIME: 1:17.2 DISTANCES: 2 1/4, Sh Hd, 5 1/4, 1 1/4.
$1 PARI: (2) $29.05; $8.10; (5) $3.75
EXACTA: $234.85
TRIFECTA: $3,025.05
SUPERFECTA: $2,477.55
WINNER: 5 Y.O B Horse - Big Country/Quick Silver (Western Envoy)
OWNER: Dennis Fakoory TRAINER: J O’Brien
BREEDER: Rickie Khan & Dennis Fakoory
ALSO RAN: 5. Skylar S Balroop 54.0; 6. Desert Dancer K Khelawan 56.5.
R8: CARIB BREWERY LIMITED TRINIDAD DERBY STAKES (GRADE 1 R) – OPEN TO WI 3 YO – 2000M - $$238,530
1 (8) Juice Man R Jadoo 57.0
2 (10) Apocalypse B Boodramsing 57.0
3 (5) Making Headlines K Khelawan 57.0
4 (6) Regal Intension W Galviz 57.0
TIME: 2:05.0 DISTANCES: 1/2, 4 1/4, 5 1/4, 1 1/2.
$1 PARI: (8) $1.40; $1.05; (10) $1.05; (5) $1.05
EXACTA: $3.45
TRIFECTA: $6.70
SUPERFECTA: $15.75
WINNER: 3 YO B Colt - Storm Craft/Passion (Kammtarra)
OWNER: Justyn Kanta Persad TRAINER: G Mendez
BREEDER: Lakeland Farms Ltd (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 5. La Reine K Santo 54.0; 6. Memories N Abrego 57.0; 7. Marengo K Balgobin 57.0; 8. Visionary A Ward 57.0; 9. Blue Navigator Ri hernandez 57.0; 10.News Flash R Ali 57.0.
R9: GINSENG - MODIFIED BENCHMARK HANDICAP 3 Y.O & OVER HORSES RATED 45-30 – 1,200M - $29, 050
1 (5) Leonardo Angel R Jadoo 54.0
2 (10) Simon Peter r Ali 54.0
3 (9) Why Kapalua T Phillips 55.0
4 (8) Country Boy J Boodramsing 54.5
5 (7) Raeven Renae N Samaroo 54.5
TIME: Split DISTANCES: Hd, 6 1/4, Nk, 1 .
$1 PARI: (5) $2.15; $1.20; (10) $1.30; (9) $1.35
EXACTA: $5.95
TRIFECTA: $24.00
SUPERFECTA: $288.90
HI-5: $1,098.80
WINNER: 3 Y.O B Gelding - Da Vinci/Fallen Angel (Devil’s Bag)
OWNER: Tasram Maharaj TRAINER: G Mendez
ALSO RAN: 6. Precise Momment J Arneaud 56.5; 7. Fortune Teller W Galviz 55.0; 8. Bulletproof B Boodramsing 57.0; 9. Hello A Poon 56.5; 10. Golazo N Mohammed 56.5.
NON-RUNNER: Straighttothepoint.