THERE were many outstanding moments on the racetrack during 2013. Moments which have left indelible imprints on the sport of horse racing in Jamaica.
Agreement on these cherished landmarks will always be the subject of robust discussion among racing fans. These discussions usually add the elements of disagreement and surprise to a sporting endeavour which is always filled with excitement and sometimes controversy.In putting together its 10 most outstanding moments in horse racing for 2013, The Complete Racing Guide’s team took into consideration the impact of the moment, not only on the racetrack or among fans of the sport, but also on the wider Jamaican audience. The team fully understands that there will never be consensus on our selections, but the hope is for discussions based on what we believe to be objective reasoning on our part.The 10 Most Outstanding Moments in Horse Racing for 2013 are listed in preferred order.1 – DANE NELSONRIDING SIX WINNERSOn November 17, champion jockey Dane Nelson rode six winners to join an elite band of riders, including Paul “Country” Francis, Dick Cardenas and Andrew Ramgeet, to have ridden six or more winners on one race day. Nelson rode his six winners from eight rides. He was listed to ride nine horses on the day, however, one of his mounts was declared a late nonstarter. Nelson’s winners were Deliciosa, Mr Perfection, Reign of Deftiny, Israelite, Double The Honey, and Di Cobre. The impact of the champion rider’s booting home six winners shook the foundation of racing. It energised a hitherto lacklustre year and a jockeys’ championship dominated by Omar Walker. At the time winners to pass Walker and eventually win the championship. He had turned around a frigid and almost predictable situation into a contest which enthused and received the participation of racing fans. Nelson’s achievement got noteworthy national recognition when he was chosen by the Radio Jamaica Sports Foundation as one of five nominated for the People’s Choice award. It was a historic moment for Nelson, it was a signal moment for horse racing, and it was a crippling blow for Walker. Nelson rode his six winners, Walker was leading comfortably and was all set to become a five-time champion. Things changed dramatically on the day with Nelson using the momentum of his six MOST OUTSTANDING MOMENTS IN RACING 20132 – CARLTON WATSON’SCONQUEST OF THE OWNERS’ CHAMPIONSHIPFor the second consecutive year the owners’ championship ended in a close contest. The two main combatants were W B Racing led by Wilbert Bagwandeen and of course there was Mr ‘Cal’ himself, Carlton Watson. Going into the Boxing Day programme, W B Racing led by over $500,000 and was on course to notch his first hold on the owners’ title. Then came Boxing Day and the dramatic turn by Watson. It started for him in the third race, the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup, when Sweet Trail defeated hot favourite Commanding Chief. Add a third place finish by Mr Luval and fourth by Royal Vibes and in one fell swoop, Watson had erased the deficit and was now in front. Subsequent wins by Sparkle Haven, Miss Juanita and Jack De Charmer propelled Watson to the title of champion owner 2013.3 – THE PERFORMANCES OF PRINCESS POPSTAROn the September 11, Princess Popstar, a two-yearold bay filly representing the first crop for the stallion Adore The Gold, made her first assured steps on the racetrack on a race day after loud shouts from the exercise track of her fast training exploits. What was to follow her first and subsequent three races is nothing short of greatness. At 1,000 metres she recorded a time of 59.1 seconds, 1,200 metres — 1:10.4 minutes 1,400 metres — 1:25.1 minutes and over one mile 1:38.4 minutes, the latter despite bruising her hock in the starting gates, with a total winning margin for the four races of 45 lengths. Princess Popstar is already in the realm of the special and if all goes well with her training and her health, racing will have another superstar to cherish. This one is what racing dreams are made of.4 – COMMANDING CHIEFWINNING THE CATHERINE PEAK GOLD CUPCommanding Chief, utilising the benefits of handicaps, ran a majestic race to win the premier handicapping event in racing — the Catherine Peaksponsored Gold Cup on December 7. In what was rightly termed a ‘command’ performance, Commanding Chief beat the best of the locals and foreigners to establish himself firmly in the top tier of racing. Commanding Chief was always hanging around the top class, never able to firmly entrench himself. The Gold Cup win made all the difference.5 – OMAR WALKER RIDING HIS 700th WINNERFormer four-time champion jockey Omar Walker entered the record books on September 28, when he steered Alisonbee, trained by Gary Subratie to a head victory for his 700th win. While the accomplishment of riding 700 winners is not new as several riders over the years have achieved this particular feat, Walker has the distinction of riding 700 winners in the quickest time ever. The achievement is quite remarkable, especially when looking at the former greats of the pigskin including George HoSang, Emelio Rodriquez and Winston Griffiths, among others. Now Walker is the leader of this talented group of reinsmen.6 – BIGMAN IN TOWNWINNING THE TRINIDAD DERBYAfter an impressive start to his career in the early part of the season, Bigman In Town flattered to deceive in the Jamaican Classic races with subpar performances. The three-year-old was then moved to Trinidad and Tobago in early July after another poor run, this time in the Boom St Leger. From his first step in Trinidad, ‘The Bigman’, as he is known to local fans, generated excitement. Then came the T&T Derby on September 24. Bigman In Town ridden by Jorge Castellano romped the event to firmly establish Jamaica as the epicentre of Caribbean racing. The victory by Bigman In Town was the brainchild of trainer Gary Subratie who at the time was plying his trade as a conditioner in both Jamaica and the twin-island republic.7 – ST CECELIAWINNING THE SPRINT — THEN RETIRINGThe extraordinary career of St Cecelia came to an appropriate end when she won the Caribbean Sprint Championship for the fourth time in her career on Super Day, November 9. It was an easy win for St Cecelia as is customary, thereby enshrining here position in the pantheon of the greats. St Cecelia ended her racing career with a record of 24 wins from 37 starts. Added to this impressive showing is the achievement of being the horse with the most consecutive wins in Jamaica’s racing history, which stands at 14. Trainer Spencer Chung is deserving of worthy praise for his handling of St Cecelia.8 – PERFECT NEIGHBOUR DERBY AND ST LEGER VICTORIESPerfect Neighbour established himself as the top three-year-old in the land with emphatic victories in the Derby and the St Leger. The Wayne DaCostatrained Perfect Neighbour capped an outstanding season with a fighting second in the Talawah Superstakes and became the first of his crop to win at the top level when he won the Governor General Stakes. Perfect Neighbour just missed out on being a Triple Crown champion, losing the 2,000 Guineas by a short head after an injudicious ride. Definitely the best three-year-old of 2013 and is certainly one to follow.9 – SPENCER CHUNG’S DOMINATION OF SUPER DAYRegarded as the foremost racing day on the local calendar, the Talawahsponsored Super Day of races turned out to be a showcase of the conditioning talent of Spencer Chung. On a day when the best horses in training participate, Chung dominated the two major races on offer. St Cecelia took the Sprint Championship for the fourth time and then Typewriter won the main event, the Talawah Superstakes. As if these accomplishments were not enough, Chung won the last race on the card with Asia’s Dream. Truly a day to cherish for Spencer Chung, truly a day racing fans will always remember.10 – THE DAY DANE NELSON WON ON KAL KALWITHOUT RIDING IRONSOn September 21, Dane Nelson pulled off one of the magical moments for the year. Riding the Wayne DaCosta-trained Kal Kal going 10-furlongs in Overnight Allowance company, Nelson lost the use of the irons on his left side at the start of the race, thereby limiting his ability to properly steer the then four-year-old filly. Someway, somehow, he was able to use his skills and determination to gather Kal Kal who ran at the back for most of the race for a determined run in the straight which saw her catch and beat Uncle Donny on the line. It was an outstanding moment for Nelson, it was a really special moment for racing fans whose appreciation was shown in the loud applause and whistles received when he returned to the winners’ enclosure. Truly a moment to savour.THE TWO CHAMPIONS MEET: Carlton Watson (right) and champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.Princess Popstar (Percy Williams) on her way down to the starting gates. (PHOTOS: BRYAN CUMMINGS)View the original article here
Top 10 Most Outstanding Moments in Racing 2013
