Sunlight Express for Labour Day Trophy
TEN HORSES are slated to contest today’s holiday feature for the Labour Day Trophy (claiming $600,000-$550,000) over 1200 metres at Caymanas Park, including the speedy SUNLIGHT EXPRESS, who will have to be caught.
The six-year-old horse, who was recently claimed for $550,000 by trainer Gary Subratie, subsequently finished a fair seventh to BORDER LINE in the G.A. ‘Sarge’ Bucknor Memorial Cup over the straight in overnight company. And now back among claimers, he will not go down easily from the convenient mark of 53.0kg and customary rider Orlando Foster aboard.
Prior t o t he last run, SUNLIGHT EXPRESS finished 2 1/2 lengths third to LADY SHANKARI over the round five course on May 2, chasing the speedy filly at close range before faltering in the last furlong.
The 6-y-o horse by Traditional out of the Alisios mare Victoria has been programmed for this trophy and, despite the sound claims of back-to-form ITALIANO, has the speed and tenacity to hold him at bay in the closing stages.
Trained by 14-time champion Wayne DaCosta, the grey ITALIANO ran his best race since 2014 when chasing home the Subratie-trained BOLD AVIATOR over 1400 metres on May 16. Now pointed in the right direction, the 6-y-o son of He’stherealthing should ensure that my selection, SUNLIGHT EXPRESS, is extended in the closing stages.
Meanwhile, with the mushrooming Pick9 surviving another day on Saturday – thanks to notable upsets by PERSIAN BELLE at 23-1, KRONUS at 22-1 in the Lotto Classic and SHE GOOSE at 18-1 – Pick-9 fever should intensify today with a whopping carryover of $9.7 million. This being the case, a first prize of close to $13 million looks a real possibility.
Pick-9 bankers are the DaCosta-trained 3-y-o colt POLLY B (Halledeen up) in the third race; TARANTINO, with Richard Mairs aboard in the fourth; UNCLE CHUBBY, with champion jockey Dane Nelson in the seventh and YOUR EMMINENCE (Nelson again) in the closing race over the straight five course.
The Pick-9 will be conducted from race two to 10, the first Super-6 from race one to six, the late Super-6 from race five to 10.
L.P. Azar Limited will use the holiday meet to pay tribute to racehorse grooms, who Caymanas Track Limited’s deputy chairman, Andrew Azar, described as the most dedicated group of workers in the industry.
Entertainment will be provided by the recent Magnum Kings and Queens winners, Devin Di Dakta and Triple A.