D’Girlz Dem Sugar wins Harmony General Insurance Breeders’ Stakes & Trophy

The Steve & Allan Madoo-owned thee-year-old bay gelding, D’Girlz Dem Sugar, who is by Atul out of Aurofax, trained by Robert Peirce and ridden by Jalon Samuel, won the feature Harmony General Breeders’ Stakes & Trophy, for Barbados bred three-year-olds going 1800 metres, at the Garrison Savannah yesterday, the 12th day of the Barbados Turf Club’s 2017 racing season.

Leaving the gates quickly was Legion, followed by Vencedor. These two led the field until reaching the three furlong marker, when Vencedor started to shorten, as Sanuel moved D’Girlz Dem Sugar into second position behind the Philip Moseley & Loron Gibbs-owned Legion, trained by Victor Cheeseman and ridden by Anderson Trotman, with Rockley in third.

With two furlongs to go, D’Girlz Dem Sugar-bred by Rhum Inc, drew alongside Legion, who had no answer, and as they turned for the run to the wire D’Girlz Dem Sugar picked up the running.

With 25 metres to go, the Gay Smith-owned Butterfly, trained by Edward Walcott Jr and ridden by Antonio Bishop, came from off the pace with a strong finish and failed by a nose to catch the winner, D’Girlz Dem Sugar, and had to settle for second. Third was the Luther Miller 111 & Suzanne Miller-owned Black Rock, trained by Jonathan Simpson and ridden by Rasheed Hughes, while Legion held on for fourth.

The supporting feature, the Leave It To Me (Handicap) for three-year-olds and older, rated 140 and below, going 1800 metres was won by the Daniel & Martin Raizman-owned, Infrared, trained by Richard Deane and ridden by Rasheed Hughes.

Infrared broke smartly and went straight to the front, and made it a very easy gate-to-wire win. Janak’s Gold, owned by Deane Springer DVM, trained by AWalcott and ridden by Lester Edwards, was second. Finishing third was the Aysha Syndicate-owned Just A Fashion, trained by Victor Cheeseman and ridden by Lester Edwards.

Leading the jockeys on the day was Ricky Walcott, who booted home three winners on the seven race card, while young apprentice Delano Husbands booted home two winners.

Trainer of the day was Robert Peirce, who saddled three winners, including the days feature race.

Racing continues on Saturday, June 10, (CH)