THE lucrative Stallion Stakes series for native bred two-year-olds gets underway at Caymanas Park today with the $500,000 Keeling Memorial Cup over 1100 metres taking the spotlight.
Also on the well supported 12-race programme, which marks the first leg of the two-day Independence Carnival, is the $230,000 - $210,000 claiming for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) Trophy over 1400 metres to be contested by six starters, including the down in class ELRAY, now a lot better for his July 29 pipeopener behind BODY & SOUL in the RJR 50th Anniversary Classic.
Although having attracted only five starters, the Keeling Memorial promises to be keenly contested among GOINGTOKANSASCITY, AWESOME MINISTER and the stable-companions MEZZALUNA and RAKKADASH, all having won this season.
Leading trainer Philip Feanny holds a strong hand with the filly MEZZALUNA and the highly thought of colt RAKKADASH. Both are no strangers to the winners' enclosure, MEZZULUNA having won the first of her three races at the expense of AWESOME MINISTER over 600 metres on May 20, and RAKKADASH scoring on his debut over the 800 metres straight on July 15.
MEZZALUNA was subsequently beaten into second by old rival AWESOME MINISTER in the Cradle Stakes over 800 metres straight on June 10 and last time out, FIRST TRICK over the straight five course.
While MEZZULUNA has lots of speed and should figure seriously, I believe RAKKADASH is the better of the two.
The Jose Pinchin-trained AWESOME MINISTER has moved exceptionally well at exercise without his customary visor in preparation for today's encounter and could supplement his two wins from four starts to date.
The Wayne DaCosta-trained GOINGTOKANSASCITY won impressively over the round five course when making his debut on July 8 and this full brother to the 1996 'Horse of the Year' WAR ZONE, both being by Exotic Traveler out of Sweet Ruckus, should be bang in contention at the finish. True, he did not beat much when coming home 6 1/4 lengths clear of LSC CHOICE and KYLE'S DIVA. But DaCosta has fitted the tongue tie for this race and GOINGTOKANSASCITY, now a lot better, will only go down fighting.
Still, it is RAKKADASH who catches my fancy. The bay colt by Exotic Traveler out of Forsaken made virtually all to win by 6 1/2 lengths in a 800 metres maiden race on July 15 and with both the runner-up REGITINA and the third horse GENTLE RIVER CAT paying tribute to the form by winning their subsequent races, this speaks volumes for the chances of RAKKADASH, who like the recent Triple Crown winner I'MSATISFIED, is owned by Joseph Duany and trained by Feanny.
Feanny has fitted RAKKADASH with the visor obviously to make him sharper for this race and with title chasing jockey Shane Ellis having a good run in the feature races of late, RAKKADASH will not go down easily.
Other firm fancies on the card are JAMIE FOR DAD (fit, having stepped down) to win the 2nd ahead of BLANCHE, PERSONAL NEMESIS (too fast) to lead home stable-companion NEFTENGA in the 5th, PRINCESS ZARA (knocking at the door) to whip AWESOME TASSY and SUPREMACY in the 7th, RESTLESS RHYTHM (better for near miss on recent debut) over GRAND BAZAAR and HURRICANE FURY in the 8th, TOPAZ (best of a bad lot) over CRIMSON TIDE in the 10th and RATIFIED (working exceptionally well) to lead home the vastly improved WYLE COYOTE in the 11th.
By Orville Clarke
Freelance Writer
