Barbados Guineas very competitive
Today is the ninth day of the Barbados Turf Club’s first racing season, and eight races are carded to be run at the Garrison Savannah.
The day’s feature race, is race five, the 67th Running of the Barbados Guineas (GR. 1R.-BAR) for West Indian bred 3-year-olds (AW) going 1570 metres.
A full field of 12 will face starter Mark Batson, in this one, which is also the first leg of the Triple Crown, with the winner receiving $33,000 and a Trophy.
On form, the one to beat is Fleurette, but with horses such as Black Rock, the improving Oberoi and Butterfly, race fans can expect a very exciting race.
A Supporting feature is race seven, the Street Vendors (Handicap) for 3-year-olds and older, rated 140 and below, going 1570 metres.
Dorsette, who failed to win a race after winning the Gold Cup last year, will be looking to up his performance this year. He has started the year on a high note, easily disposing of his opposition in the the 2017 Gold Cup . While he is not up against a field nearly as hard as what he faced in this years Gold Cup, he may find the 1570 metres, to hisdisadvantage, and may well find it difficult to peg back horses such as Infrared, Marcus Antonius or Sirius Black, who seem to be better over this trip.
Race four is another supporting feature, The In Loving Memory of Local Speed Stakes & Trophy (Handicap), going 1800 metres.
The race is unique, as it is for Barbados bred horses rated 55-15, and is for 6-years-old and older, going 1800 metres.
Local Speed was a bay gelding, out of Azeema by Fererico, and finished his career with 11 wins, while placing 30 times from 73 starts, earning $135,990.
He was a horse that loved running, and many a race day he could be seen leading the field, as if saying, catch me if you can, that was his style of running. He won his races over 1570, 1800 and 2000 metres and at the age of 3, 4, 5, and even at 7 and 8-years-old.
Thanks to the generosity of owner, Stanton French, who has contributed $15,000 and a Trophy, the race has a purse of $20,000 and a Trophy going to the winner.
Nine horses are declared to face the starter in this one, and it should be a very competitive race. Super Lady, Corvette and Chimichurri, could be the ones to follow.
Post time one race one is 1:45 p.m. (CH)