Another exciting card awaits racing enthusiasts as the Barbados Turf Club pays tribute to the island’s 46th anniversary with the staging of the Independence Celebrations Race Day at the Garrison Savannah tomorrow.
Action on the second day of the third season is set to run off at 1 p.m. with eight races scheduled.
Race 5 – the God Bless Bim Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 65-85 and also open to horses rated 64 and below over 1 570 metres – is a must-see event.
The top weight is shared between imported Indanger and Nomoreginrog, who are down to take 130 pounds.
Of the two Roger Parravicino-trained horses, respect should be given to Nomoreginrog, who won the R.L. Seale & Co. Ltd Trophy Handicap for horses rated 58-80 over 1 570 metres three starts back.
His stablemate has consistently been off the board and will be hard to follow.
The story of this race could revolve around the husband and wife team doing battle for supremacy as Derby winner Bandera Belle (120), owned by Lady Williams and Michael Panter, meets the unbeaten Vapour Trail (114), owned by Sir Charles Williams.
It will be an intriguing contest as it’s simply stamina versus speed. Either way, at the end of this race their trainer Andrew Nunes should be all smiles.
It will not be all about the abovementioned quartet as Sea Gypsy (125), Island Memories (127), Meteorite (123), and Iamsogroovy (114) are all capable of landing the final punch.
Race 4 – the I Am A Bajan Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 25-45 and also open to horses rated 24 and below – will see a full house competing over 1 800 metres.
Jamaica Quill and Uneverno will each shoulder 130 pounds. Based on their past unimpressive performances at this distance, this should be an open affair.
Fernandina, carrying 129 pounds, is on form and is the outstanding horse entered. She will, however, appreciate some ease in the weight and conditions.
Jamaica Moon (127), Cassanova (117) and Summer Star (125) should also be considered.
Trainer Robert Peirce could be all smiles in Race 6 – the Broken Trident Handicap for three-year-old and older horses rated 37-60 and also open to horses rated 36 and below over 1 100 metres.
His mare Spellbound has performed incredibly well all year wherever she has run. She carries the top weight of 133 pounds and could battle with stablemate Verizon (124), who has been a revelation since shifting barns.
The A Team-owned Boo has also been in good form, recording two wins from her last three efforts. She is down to carry 128 pounds, and her chances should increase once an apprentice is booked, as she will find it difficult beating Spellbound at that weight.
The Lyrical Fox (128) took the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 Handicap for non-winners over 1 100 metres. She is expected to be in the firing line but there have to be some reservations about her weight.
Southern Lights handed in her maiden on the first day of this season when she disposed of maidens in the Divine Messenger Condition Race over 1 100 metres. This is a much tougher field and her draw really doesn’t help her chances of a repeat win.