The PT Racing-owned, three-year-old chestnut gelding Wise Guy is the highest money-spinner for last year's coronavirus-hit racing season.
The 27th year of local racing since its centralisation at Santa Rosa Park in Arima was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which put racing on hold for four months, halting in March to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
It restarted in July forcing the Arima Race Club (ARC) to reduce it's 32-day programme by 10 days, however, the “Triple Crown’ winner Wise Guy was able to amass a total of $177,256 to top stablemate Making Headlines. The pair will do battle for the Jetsam Awards' "Horse Of The Year" where Making Headlines looks to have a slender advantage for the coveted title.
Though the "Horse of the Year" title of the 2020 season is up in the air between the John O'Brien-trained duo of Wise Guy and the Stewards Cup winner Making Headlines, it is not that way with the champion jockey and champion apprentice.
Last year, the O'Brien stable was dominant and the champion trainer is well clear of former champion trainer Glenn Mendez in the race for championship honours. In fact, O'Brien saddled 39 winners, to lead his nearest challenger Mendez who is on 18 winners. They are followed by Harold Chadee with 16 winners.
In the Trainers' Earning category, O’Brien was again a clear winner with his horses amassing a total of $1,132,959. He was followed by Harold Chadee with $495,744. Mendez was third in this category with his horses earning $375,862.
However, with the stable in such good form, it is easy to point out that champion jockey Brian Boodramsing has completed the double as champion jockey. Boodramsing is well clear of Ronald Ali, who has ridden 15 winners. Former champion jockey Ricky Jadoo who has ridden 13 winners is way behind at the line to Boodramsing's 35 winners.
It is a one-horse race for the "Apprentice" title with Kimal Santo well clear of the field and the closest rider to Boodramsing in the standing. The first apprentice "Triple Crown" winner has ridden 19 winners.
HORSES
Name*1st*2nd*3rd* 4th*Starts*Earnings
Wise Guy*6*3*1* 0* 9* $177,256
Making Headlines*5*3*1* 0* 9* $152,017
Bella Riva*4*1*2* 0 * 7* $124,621
Early Bird*1*1*2*1* 5 *$100,181
Prince of Belle Vue*2*2*2*0* 7*$67,909
JOCKEYS
Brian Boodramsing*35* 18* 7* 10*96 * $744,057
Kimal Santo*19* 10*19* 17* 118* $480,744
Ronald Ali*15* 15*9*7* 74 * $309,412,00
Ricardo Jadoo*13* 14*13*13*94 * $309,412
Naim Samaroo*8*7* 7* 4*63 * $137,649
TRAINERS
John O’Brien*39* 27* 14* 21* 154* $1,132,959
Harold Chadee*16* 14*30*28*173 * $495,655
Glenn Mendez*18*21*14*19* 114 * $375,862
Harriram Gobin*11* 9* 10* 9* 91 * $261,422,00
Lester Alexis* 8* 12* 17*7* 110 * $191,488