THE PINT-size Randolph Richmond started the third annual Digicel Horseracing Classic in fine style at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) last Sunday and fittingly brought it to a close in finer style, when he piloted Score’s Even to an upset win

in the feature event of the day.
In so doing, Richmond, who chalked up three undisputed wins along with two seconds and the same number of fourth-placed finishes in the day’s eight-race programme, was undoubtedly named the Champion Jockey at the end of the proceedings, bringing a broad smile to the face of his reputed wife.
Despite the soggy condition underfoot, which was created by rain that fell the previous afternoon and at some periods during the night, thousands of turfites thronged the venue to catch a glimpse of the day’s action which had close to G$12M in cash and prizes up for grabs.
To this end, Richmond started things with a come-from-behind win while aboard Treacle in the G1 and Lower seven furlongs event, surpassing the pace setter Captain Crook with just under 300 metres to go in the eight-horse field, which saw Top of the Line and Quiet Storm rounding off the top four paying positions.
Jockey Keiron Blake was in the saddle of Celebrating Love, who refused to leave the gate while the frontrunners made their move and even though Blake did so late, he managed to pass several of his opponents to finish in fifth, only to be disqualified and placed in the non-starter’s bracket, as Richmond earned his employers a $600 000 first place cheque.
The second event, which catered for horses classified J2 and Lower and covering a distance of six furlongs with a first-place prize of $300 000, was won by I Want Revenge with Badree in the saddle from, Speed Vision, Prince Bayaya and Diplomat in that order.
In fact, Prince Bayaya, who was piloted by R. Drepaul, set the pace for the majority of the race, until Badree made his move in similar manner and at the same point as Richmond did with Treacle in the first event, to take home the bacon and at the same time creating the first upset of the day.
It was jockey Marvin’s turn to taste victory, and he did so in the third event when he took Unsettled past the finishing pole ahead of Today Is My Day, Golden Key and Royal Empire in the Two Year Old Guyana and West Indies-bred event that covered a distance of five furlongs and carried a winner’s purse of $700 000.
Colin Ross and Akash entered winners’ row, while aboard Who’s On My Case and Royal Intention respectively in the D3 and Lower and J3 and Lower races respectively, to take home $900 000 and $200 000 each for their horse owners.
Richmond returned to his winning ways, by guiding Easy To Win who hails from the same stable as Treacle, to a gate-to-pole victory in the I and Lower seven furlongs event from Cat Massiah, Savion and Sango in that order, making the stables $325 000 richer.
That victory was followed by Ross’ upset win by 12 lengths while on board Princess Alicia in the co-feature seven furlongs event which catered for Three Year Old Guyana and West Indies-bred horses, doing so from Monsoon, It’s My Turn and Set For Fame.
Following a 15-minute break, as jockeys changed outfits after being sought after by the various stables who were entering their charges in the feature event, six horses namely Score’s Even, C.P. Got Even, Grande Roja, The Message, Got To Go and Swing Easy faced the starter for the feature event, the final one of the day that covered a distance of seven furlongs.
Score’s Even stormed out of the gate number one and as Richmond watched Swing Easy with Blake on board set the pace with Got To Go ridden by Badree chasing hard, opted to hold back his charge until they made the turn for home.
The move came in a flash and caught the entire pack by surprise.
Swing Easy had the lead, Got To Go was lurking and jockey Badrie was waiting for the right moment to go, as the final event was really turning out to be a Classic indeed, as the jockeys seemed to be working in accordance with the plan set out by their respective stables.
But the race started to unfold when Richmond and Score’s Even went clear, building his lead with every powerful stride from the thoroughbred who changed gears and never looked back, leaving his owners in an emotional state following the upset win, which was approximately half a furlong from Swing Easy, with Got To Go and The Message crossing the line in that order.