It’s that time of year which most people look forward to, including horse racing fans.
And those fans should get a mouthful of holiday races tomorrow, when the Barbados Turf Club stages the Christmas Season Raceday at the Garrison Savannah.
The third day of the third season is set to run off at 1 p.m. and has attracted 93 horses that will compete over eight races.
At the centre of attention is Race 7, the Season Greetings Handicap for three-year-olds and older horses rated 70-90 and also open to horses rated 69 and below over 1 800 metres.
The card is, however, filled with potentially exciting races, one such being the Christmas Handicap for three-year-olds and older horses rated 62-85 over 1 100 metres.
Sir Charles Williams’ mare Slip Stream shoulders the top weight of 133 pounds, and also high up in the weight ladder are Run For Your Money (130), Rahy Stormello (128), The Price Is Right (121) and Golden Moment (110).
The latter mentioned duo are speed merchants who are returning to the track following a brief layoff, while Sweet Bottom Sarah (119) looks to make it two straight wins.
The Jingle Bell Handicap over 1 570 metres is one of the more evenly matched races on the card. This race for three-year-olds and older horses rated 45-65 will see last race day’s winner, the Bill Haley and the Comics-owned Rock Forever carrying the top impost of 130 pounds while stretching out to this distance.
Victor Ludorum and Jade Temple, both with a win from one of their last three starts, take 127 pounds.
Memory Lane, a double winner, takes a jump up in class while seeking her hat-trick.
The return to track of Koh-I-Noor and Cavanak, both of whom exhibited some promise as two year olds before being sidelined by injuries, are sure to bring additional interest to this event.
A route race usually brings about great excitement and one would not expect any different in the Happy Holiday Handicap over 1 800 metres.
Moonlight Sonata takes the top weight of 126 pounds; she has been a totally different horse since she changed hands to new owner Anthony Joseph.
Atomic Bomb and Ucantmeanme are next in line shouldering 124 pounds, respectively. The latter, which has also changed owners several times, has been very impressive in his last two efforts resulting in comfortable victories.
Easter Monday is set to take 123, and recently handed in his maiden certificate. Another one that makes some appeal in here is Glamorous pencilled in at 121 pounds.
In the opening race Fay Browne’s Appealing and Kenny Joseph’s Dancing Lady, both handicapped at 116 pounds, could battle it out for the maiden win in the Mrs Claus Allotted Weightevent for two-year-old maidens over 1 100 metres.
