KINGSTON, Jamaica - Thirteen native-bred three-year-olds are set to do battle for top honours in the $4.5-million Jamaica St Leger Classic sponsored by BetMakers at Caymanas Park tomorrow.
The 10-furlong (2,000m) Jamaica St Leger is the second jewel in the Triple Crown series of races with 1000 Guineas winner Atomica and 2000 Guineas, hero, Blue Vinyl meeting for the first time.
Below is the analysis of the runners.
1 - BRINKS: - (3 b g by Bern Identity – Indian Bluff) – Ran a brave race to finish second behind Blue Vinyl in the 2000 Guineas at a mile. Brinks, then with the cheek pieces on, took control of the event from the six-furlong point and was simply outdone by the better horse, losing by 11 lengths. This was Brinks’ first show of respectable form as a three-year-old, yet even with this renewed effort, 10 furlongs will be out of his reach.
2 - SUNSET SILHOUTTE: (3 b f by Northern Giant – Ahwhofah) – After finishing fourth in the 1000 Guineas won by Atomica on June 4, Sunset Silhoutte returned on June 19 to win the Mr Lover Lover Trophy over 9-plus (1,820m). Sunset Silhoutte should be fighting for one of the minor placings and nothing else.
3 - BERNING RED: (3 ch g by Bern Identity – Feasibility Study) – Defeated Emperorofthecats by a length over 7 furlongs on June 19. Based on that run, Berning Red should be more than comfortable at 10 furlongs and could cause anxious moments for the top two,if that is at all possible. This Bern Identity gelding faces his stiffest task to date and can be considered as a spoiler if ever there is one in this Classic offering.
4 EMPEROROFTHECATS: (3 b g by Emperor Hall – Laws of the Cat) – He was beaten by Berning Red at the races on June 19 over 7 furlongs. Emperorofthecats led for most of the way before he was caught on the wire by Berning Red. This does not bode well for the chances of Emperorofthecats going 10 furlongs. The only hope for Emperorofthecats is a minor share, yet even that is going to be difficult.
5 - ATOMICA: (3 ch f by Nuclear Wayne – Honkeytonkville) – Brilliant filly who is unbeaten in five career starts. Atomica conquered all other fillies in winning the 1000 Guineas on June 4 over one mile by 20 lengths in a new Stakes record time. She has been working well coming into this race and will definitely get the distance of the St Leger. Atomica will more than likely set the fractions and thereafter it will be up to the rest to challenge. Atomica is a filly of superb class and will be hard to deny.
6 - POWER: (3 ch c by Bal A Bali – Swift Fox) – Disappointed in the 2000 Guineas when finishing in sixth place. Power, who continues to move nicely at exercise, is another runner who is going to love this distance but is not expected to trouble the principals. Note, Power races without the cheek pieces.
7 - D HEAD CORNERSTONE: (3 b c by Bern Identity – Soul of the Heart) – Is going to be left way behind.
8 - OUTBIDDER: (3 b f by Savoy Stomp - Rumble) – This well-bred and costly filly has not lived up to expectations, and is a surprise entry in this Classic event. Outbidder will have to run way beyond her previous efforts to even have a chance of hitting the board.
9 - SLAM: (3 b g by Sensational Slam – Bedroom Chatter) – Will play no part in the outcome.
10 - MORIMOTO: (3 b c by Casual Trick – Luckybegood) – Came into the 2000 Guineas with high hopes but finished in fourth place. Morimoto best result in the St Leger is a placing position for which he has to fight hard.
11- RORAIMA: (3 b c by Bern Identity – Classic Princess) – Has no chance of winning.
12 - BLUE VINYL: (3 b g by Bern Identity – Blufiled) – Blue Vinyl has made significant improvement in recent months. His victory in the 2000 Guineas gave evidence of his class and also his ability to effectively get a distance of ground. Following his win in the 2000 Guineas, Blue Vinyl has trained well. The jockey on board Blue Vinyl cannot allow the expected leader and main rival Atomica to be too far in front, so expect Blue Vinyl to race in mid-pack, gradually gaining momentum and placing positions down the backstretch. Only time will tell how quickly Blue Vinyl accelerates in the final two furlongs, without enough evidence to suggest that he will be at his best in the lane.
13 - RAINSVILLE: (3 gr c by Casual Trick – Fiftyshadesofray) – Doesn’t have the class of these, therefore can be safely ruled out of contention.
