SANTA BABY AND SWING BY WIN FOR JAMAICA ( HORSERACING)

SPORTS: TWO JAMAICAN BRED FILLES DOMINATE RACING

 

 

CMC, Sports , August 4, Arima , Horseracing ------

Two Jamaican Bred fillies – Santa Baby – and –Swing By - dominated the postponed Day 22 of horseracing in Trinidad and Tobago, when they won the two feature races on another rainy day at Santa Rosa Park on Saturday.

In the feature – Midsummer Classic – over 1900 metres, pre race Favourite – Santa Baby- was hustled to the front by Venezuelan jockey Luis Rodriguez from the number 9 stall and was never headed, she repelled challenger after challenger, first – Luca’s Gold – and –Sweet Revenge- and by the 800 metre marker, she had dispelled all thoughts that – Nature Reality – and – September D’sixth – could be dangers. In the home straight , the Smokehouse Sam /Christmas Morning bred filly had opened up a four length and increased to 5 ¾ lengths by the finish , with only the long striding – The Sultan- staying on at one pace in second position and –Luca’s Gold – dead on his feet in third , with Jamaican bred Nature’s Reality back in a distant fourth.

Earlier on four year old Jamaican filly – Swing By- stunned the small crowd at Santa Rosa Park in the President’s Trophy winning at odds of 4-1. Swing By was settled in mid division in the 1900 metre contest by Gary Laban, but at the 1000 metre mark, the multi talented filly ( Alisios/Skip By) , was sent to the front under an enterprising ride by Laban, and she quickly stretched her lead from two lengths to 7 ¼ by the finish line . This was a very impressive performance from a West Indian bred filly , particularly as several of the horses behind her , were leading importations in this country. In second position was US importation – Coconut Boy- , in third was another Jamaican Bred – Uram -, with – Chief Commander ( who won the Tangle wood stakes in Barbados in March but was then disqualified ) only fourth. Odds on favourite and leading importation – Hello Yankee – was fifth , with 2006 Gold Cup winner, and another US import – Straight Ahead – in seventh.

On a reduced six race card, carried forward from the aborted Wednesday card, Gary Laban recorded a double winning the last race with – The Lass Mass- to add to his victory on – Swing By –

While Rodriguez also had a double, having won earlier with – El Guerrouj – before adding the Midsummer Classic with – Santa Baby -.

 

:: AB