IN ALMOST fading sunlight and with the absence of The Message, Ferry Landing and Scores Even, Yhap Drepaul rode a tactical race aboard ‘Who So Ever’ from the Simple Royal Stable stunned the field to take the second feature event, when the second annual Digicel Horse Racing Classic was held at the Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club last Sunday. A colourful and packed to capacity crowd which was bursting at the seams as horse racing enthusiasts and turfites, sought to take advantage of every possible viewing area to witness the day’s action which had over 90 horses competing and $11.5M in cash and trophies up for grabs.
They had earlier seen Jamaican Kieron Blake guide Settle in Seattle to a pole to pole in the penultimate race of the day to cart off the top prize of $1m, even though he was forced to stave off a strong challenge from the pack which included Rock Sonna.
In the final race which covered a distance of 1, 700metres on the eight race programme, 11 horses entered the starters’ gate and as the race progressed past the grand stand for the first time, fans gathered at the venue witnessed an even break, as every one fought for position.
As they approached the penultimate turn for home, ‘Who So Ever’ called on his jockey to give him more reign and Drepaul responded affirmatively, which saw the less fancied horse move to the front through the field that included Donut Prince, Dark and Lovely, California Strike, Perfect Circle, Jet Set Go, Marathon Man and Face De Fire.
He did not display any signs of tiredness even after he passed the pole, as Drepaul celebrated by making several whole circles with his whip hand, knowing that he had just won for his handlers, $2m and the beautiful Digicel trophy.
Face De Fire, Perfect Circle and Grande Roja took the other top three positions which earned them $1M, $500,000 and $220,000 respectively.
Running out of the Sheriff Racing stable and with Blake who was later named champion jockey on board, Settle in Seattle proved that he was head and shoulders above the competition with a stunning performance which landed him the 3 years old Open 1,700metres event, with Rock Sonna and Serenity finishing down in that order.
For that win, Blake took home $1M, while the connections for Rock Sonna, Serenity, who rode a tactical race to finish third and Rosetta, pocketed $500,000, $250,000 and $125,000 respectively.
The day’s activity got underway with Narvin who was aboard Hard Runnings, taking the Division 1, 2 and 3 1,200metres event from It’s My Time, Pick Pocket and Smartie Light, before Blake piloted Majestic to championship honours in the 1200 M, ‘E’ and lower race for the first prize of $700,000 and the Digicel trophy, leaving Appealing Harvest and Got To Go in his wake.
Ridden by Junior, She So Special out of the Jumbo Jet Stable was too hot to handle as it blazed to victory to cart off the first prize of $400,000 and the Digicel trophy ahead of Party Time, Silent Night and Easy to Win in the 2 year-old Guyana Bred 1,000 M event.
Rupert Ramnauth, who was thrown out his saddle by Awesome Warrior in the final event, piloted Gold Rush of the Jagmohan stable to victory over Flying Baby, True Gold and The Wild Grinder, to gallop away with the $600,000 first place prize and the Digicel trophy.
The 1,200M race for ‘G’ 1 and lower horses was won by Bridle Stone Corner out of the Crawford stables, creating an upset over pre-race favourite Peace and Love who came second, Weekend Surprise and Prado’s Gold in that order, for the $ 500,000 winning purse.
In the ‘I’ 1 and Lower 1,200M race, it was a dead heat after both Little Tip Top of the Krishna Singh Stable and Mona Lisa of the Sooklall Stable crossed the line together.
After a prolong decision the judge decided to split the first prize of $250,000 between the connections for both horses, while Savion and Quincy were awarded third and forth respectively.
After the day’s proceedings, the Sheriff Stable with two wins was adjudged the Champion Stable, while the Ryan Crawford Racing Stable was awarded the best champion training stable and Blake the champion jockey award.
Horse owners and turfites will now turn their attention to the Kennard Memorial Post Emancipation meeting which is scheduled to be held at the Kennard Memorial Turf Club on Sunday August 5, followed by the ninth annual Guyana Cup which is set for the Port Mourant Turf Club three weeks later.