By Colin Bynoe

IN what appeared to be one of the closest finishes at a Sprint Classic event, Honey Flow of the Nand Persaud Stable crossed the finish line just millimetres ahead of Got To Go of the Jumbo Jet Stable to win the feature race of the Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic meet that was held last Sunday at the Number 36 horse racing track.
It took officials several minutes reviewing the video recording of the race before they made the call allowing the Nand Persaud Stable to clinch the Prime Minister’s trophy and $400 000.
Only five horses qualified for the main event, the Nand Persaud Stable took the starting gates with Honey Flow, Golden Blue Echo and Brave Sky. Got To Go had to run against the three stable mates and also wrestle off a challenge from Wild Excitement of the Sheriff Stable.
The animals were out of the starting gates and firing all guns down the 800-metre track. Brave Sky with jockey Colin Ross went ahead and stable mate Honey Flow followed making it a two-animal race for the first half of the distance.
However, with pressure from Honey Flow, jockey Ross could not get the animal to match. Honey Flow was in the lead but saw stiff challenge from Wild Excitement. In the last 200 metres Got to Go made a big surge passing Wild Excitement.
Jockey Ajai therefore had to spur the 4-year-old animal into a big leap to win. Commentator Compton Sancho provided those who could not see the close finish with live commentary.
Seven races were carded for the day on what was being labelled the ‘Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic’ while cash prizes totalling more than $4M were up for grabs.
There were three L Class races. The first, a distance of four furlongs, was won by Mystery Man ahead of Little McGaiver and Red Weasel.
The race had a top prize of $100 000 while the second L Class had a full field and was over a distance of four furlongs. The winner was Princess Seria, piloted by Jockey Randolph Richmond. The second spot went to Angel Eyes with Little McGaiver coming back to finish third ahead of Irish Boy. The third L Class which was the final race of the day was won by Victoria Secret ahead of Zoo Zoo Mafia; I Am Back and Physical Disturbance.
The K Class event saw Golden Kiss, run in ahead of Born To Dance, Massaupequea Dr and Victoria Secret in that order. The three-furlong race had a top prize of $140 000. The H and Lower saw Fire in Line of the Sheriff Racing Stable winning the four-furlong race with T and T second ahead of Sweet Return.
The event had a top prize of $300 000. Ready For Romance of the Jagdeo Stable won the J Class. Rounding out the top finishers were Golden Kiss, Born To Dance and King Stanley. The top jockey was Randolph Richmond.