Maragh wins Joe Hirsch shoot-out but breaks arm in spill

ELMONT, New York (CMC) — Jamaican jockey Rajiv Maragh snatched a thrilling win aboard Main Sequence in the US$600,000 Grade I Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes here Saturday, but his outing at Belmont Park turned sour when he suffered a broken arm in the next race after taking a heavy spill.

Going off at odds of 2-1 in the trip over one and a half miles, Maragh and Main Sequence recovered from a slow start before getting the better of a stretch duel with Twilight Eclipse to win by a neck in a time of two minutes, 26.32 seconds.

The victory was the third consecutive Grade I win for the five-year-old chestnut gelding in the United States since shipping from England, following victories in the United Nations Stakes in July at Monmouth Park and the Sword Dancer in August at Saratoga.

With the race a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race in the Turf division, it means Main Sequence will now head to the prestigious series at Santa Anita in the first week of November.

All this was marred, however, in the very next race – race 11 – when Maragh took a tumble while aboard Wicked Strong in the US$1 million Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes.

The three-year-old colt clipped heels with 7-2 bet Moreno and went down on the far turn during the trip over a mile-and-a-quarter. Maragh lay motionless on the track for several moments after the fall before being stretchered off and rushed to North Shore Hospital on Long Island complaining of pain in his right arm.

Moreno, ridden by Junior Alvarado, finished fourth but was disqualified and placed last, after a stewards’ enquiry found the pair had drifted over to the inside and into the path of Wicked Strong, causing the spill.

Favourite Tonalist, the Belmont Stakes winner, went on to win the race.

Things were a lot brighter for Maragh in the preceding hour when he produced a superb drive to get Main Sequence up late.

He was then forced to undergo an anxious wait as a result of a stewards’ enquiry into an incident in the stretch when Main Sequence and Twilight Eclipse bumped.

“When he made the lead, it was a little sooner than we wanted,” Maragh said.

“He started loafing a little bit. I tried to make him see the other horse, and a little contact happened. I felt like I was going to be okay on the inquiry, but it was nerve-wracking.”

Imagining set sluggish fractions through the opening stages, posting 26.53 seconds for the quarter and 50.89 for the half-mile, with Real Solution stalking from second, and Medal Count and Twilight Agenda keeping in touch.

Main Sequence, who broke slowly, raced from fifth before being roused on the far turn as the pace quickened. In the stretch, Imagining faded slowly as Main Sequence and Twilight Eclipse battled to the wire.

In the last eighth, Twilight Eclipse drifted out and Main Sequence also drifted in, resulting in a bump, which was questioned by the connections of Twilight Eclipse afterward, but the result was allowed to stand.

Twilight Eclipse earned US$360,000 from the win to take his lifetime earnings to US$1.6 million.

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Maragh wins Joe Hirsch shoot-out but breaks arm in spill

Court to decide if ... MAN BREAKS COP"S FINGER AT AIRPORT

There was high drama at the Norman Manley International Airport recently, after a man allegedly broke a policeman’s finger because he did not want him to search his luggage.

Twenty-one-year-old Joel Bailey, of a Greater Portmore, St Catherine, address, was charged with assaulting the police, assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, along with abusive and calumnious language when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

It is alleged that on September 9, about 1:45 p.m., Bailey arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, to board a COPA airline flight to Panama.

security checks

While the police were making their security checks, the accused was stopped, interviewed and a search was requested for his luggage.

According to reports, Bailey refused to observe the procedure and allegedly uttered, “yow mi nuh like police enuh. Unuh a …, unuh a sodomite, unuh think unuh can do me nuttin!”

He was then told by the lawman to desist the abusive language, however, he allegedly continued to be verbally abusive to the officer.

The officer then warned him about his behaviour, to which he reportedly approached the officer and at arms length, proceeded to point his finger in the officer’s face and allegedly said, “police bwoy, mi wi tump yuh inna yuh face.”

arresting him

Afterwards, the officer informed Bailey that he would be arresting him for the offences committed and attempted to arrest him, to which the accused allegedly used his right hand to hit the lawman on his ring finger, breaking it.

After injuring the policeman, Bailey reportedly began to behave in a boisterous and disorderly manner, and a crowd gathered shortly after.

Bailey was subsequently restrained and arrested with the assistance of other police officers and members of COPA Airlines and taken into custody.

Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey ordered Bailey to surrender his travel documents, a stop order was also made. He is to return to court on October 2.

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Court to decide if ... MAN BREAKS COP"S FINGER AT AIRPORT

Barbados businesses, politicians call for more tax breaks

Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Alex McDonald said the announcement shows that government is listening to concerns of taxpayers, but he also wants relief for hoteliers.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Saturday July 19, 2014, CMC - Government’s announced changes to the Municipal Solid Waste Tax has been welcomed by politicians and businesses, but they are saying the amendments did not go far enough.

On Thursday the Cabinet decided to waive all payments of the Municipal Solid Waste Tax for pensioners with property valued under $190,000 (One BDS$ = 50 US cents) and pushed back the payment deadline for others.

This new tax was announced last year with a sweeping .03 per cent charge on the site value of every real estate property across the island, but there have been widespread complaints about the financial burden it places on residents.

But Opposition Leader Mia Mottley on Friday, described the changes as a ‘knee-jerk reaction’

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“I welcome the news that some pensioners whose properties are valued at $190,000 or less will not now pay the tax. But there are still thousands more pensioners who still have to pay the full tax if their properties are above this value,” Mottley said.

She also welcomed the 50 per cent cut for farmers, but asked, “What about the hoteliers and other tourism providers? They must still pay this tax, yet our economy’s return to growth largely depends on their ability to survive and thrive”.

“This is still a bad tax and the Barbados Labour Party still calls for the repeal,” the Leader of the Opposition Barbados Labour Party said.

Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Alex McDonald said the announcement shows that government is listening to concerns of taxpayers, but he also wants relief for hoteliers.

“I think that is something that is going to take some more lobbying to see if we can get [relief for] them, and for other businesses who are right now to the wall and, even the payment over time may not be enough,” he said

President of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, Ed Bushell, said he was pleased that some pensioners got the waiver, but thinks all should get it.

“We appreciate this first step in alleviating the burden placed on pensioners and look forward to further considerations for those pensioners whose land value is more than $190,000.”

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Barbados businesses, politicians call for more tax breaks

Barbados businesses, politicians call for more tax breaks

Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Alex McDonald said the announcement shows that government is listening to concerns of taxpayers, but he also wants relief for hoteliers.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Saturday July 19, 2014, CMC - Government’s announced changes to the Municipal Solid Waste Tax has been welcomed by politicians and businesses, but they are saying the amendments did not go far enough.

On Thursday the Cabinet decided to waive all payments of the Municipal Solid Waste Tax for pensioners with property valued under $190,000 (One BDS$ = 50 US cents) and pushed back the payment deadline for others.

This new tax was announced last year with a sweeping .03 per cent charge on the site value of every real estate property across the island, but there have been widespread complaints about the financial burden it places on residents.

But Opposition Leader Mia Mottley on Friday, described the changes as a ‘knee-jerk reaction’

Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)

“I welcome the news that some pensioners whose properties are valued at $190,000 or less will not now pay the tax. But there are still thousands more pensioners who still have to pay the full tax if their properties are above this value,” Mottley said.

She also welcomed the 50 per cent cut for farmers, but asked, “What about the hoteliers and other tourism providers? They must still pay this tax, yet our economy’s return to growth largely depends on their ability to survive and thrive”.

“This is still a bad tax and the Barbados Labour Party still calls for the repeal,” the Leader of the Opposition Barbados Labour Party said.

Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association, Alex McDonald said the announcement shows that government is listening to concerns of taxpayers, but he also wants relief for hoteliers.

“I think that is something that is going to take some more lobbying to see if we can get [relief for] them, and for other businesses who are right now to the wall and, even the payment over time may not be enough,” he said

President of the Barbados Association of Retired Persons, Ed Bushell, said he was pleased that some pensioners got the waiver, but thinks all should get it.

“We appreciate this first step in alleviating the burden placed on pensioners and look forward to further considerations for those pensioners whose land value is more than $190,000.”

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Barbados businesses, politicians call for more tax breaks

QQ pulls out of Sumfest - Negotiations breaks down between artiste, promoters

Andr? Williams, STAR Writer

QQ

Citing miscommunication with members of his management team, dancehall artiste QQ will not be performing at this year’s staging of Reggae Sumfest.

QQ, whose real name is Kareem Dawkins, said in a media release that negotiations were not finalised and an overseas opportunity presented itself, hence the reason for his absence from the Sumfest line-up this year.

However, Summerfest Productions boss, Johnny Gourzong, while speaking to THE STAR yesterday, confirmed that the artiste was withdrawn from the line-up and sought to shed some light on the issue.

He said, “We would not go to his management team, we went to his booking agent and have in our possession a signed and duly executed contract with QQ. We were told recently that the fee was agreed and signed on. QQ was not pleased … we paid a deposit and our budget could not allow us to go anymore, and he said that he is not going to work for that amount, and we weren’t offering anymore than that so we had to take him off.”

When asked if his absence will affect the show, Gourzong said, “I think he is a good artiste, but I don’t think it’s gonna affect the show … We have gone and filled the gap.”

The deejay recently released the video for the increasingly popular track Tweety Bird (Turn Me On). The video was shot in Miami and directed by Strugu Films (which is based in Atlanta). The song was produced by Tarik ‘Rvssian’ Johnston for Head Concussion Records.

sexy video

“The video is quite sexy and it shows a more mature and adult side to me. Since it has been released, the feedback has been very good and I love the feedback. And the fans seem to be loving the more mature QQ,” the deejay noted.

QQ recently performed in Edmonton, Calgary and Belmont in Canada, where fans showed their appreciation for songs from his catalogue including One Drop, Stookie, Mosquito Net and Jack Hammer, which is featured on VP Records’ Reggae Gold 2014 series.

“The shows were amazing and we had a great turnout and the ladies were amazing. Mr Vegas was also on the shows and it was amazing working alongside an artiste of Mr Vegas’ calibre, one who has dominated the music scene over the years, and always had a good command with the industry,” said QQ.

Fans can follow QQ on social media on Instagram/twitter @qqworld and facebook.com/qquniverse.

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QQ pulls out of Sumfest - Negotiations breaks down between artiste, promoters

Quarrel breaks out over voters list for PNM election

Trinidad & Tobago’s Express newspaper reported on Friday that an imminent legal battle could result in the People’s National Movement (PNM) having to postpone its internal elections, set for May 18.

According to the newspaper, the team representing aspiring PNM leader Pennelope Beckles Robinson argued on Thursday that the election process was being manipulated to the benefit of incumbent leader Dr Keith Rowley and was far from being free and fair.

Member of Parliament for Laventille West Nileung Hypolite, the logis­tics co-ordinator for the Beck­les Robinson team, reportedly told the Express Beck­les Robinson’s team would not stand by and watch the democratic process thwarted, “in the interest of a few, self-serving persons.”

In an interview at a private residence in Valsayn yesterday, Hypolite produced several documents, purporting to show how the process was being influenced unfairly.

He reportedly claimed that approximately 7,000 applicants for the right to vote in the internal election, signed on during a registration drive were rejected because they were perceived to be supporters of Beckles Robinson, their names were rejected.

“The PNM cannot be seen as an all-inclusive party when they are rejecting 7,000 persons,” said Hypolite.

Hypolite said he and the team will be encouraging the 7,000-plus members to write to the elections committee, querying their rejection.

He said an official letter from the Beckles Robinson team will be dispatched, on behalf of the applicants they had received money from and submitted forms.

Referring to an injunction filed on Thursday, which stopped the elections for the Medical Practitioners Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT), Hypolite said “that may very well be the way we will be heading”.

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Quarrel breaks out over voters list for PNM election

Inaugural Limacol CPL breaks records on and off the pitch

Sport

Thursday, September 05, 2013

FROM overflowing stadiums, thumping party vibes and mass enthusiasm to scorching bowling, massive hitting and blistering catches, the inaugural Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) went off with a bang right across the Caribbean.With a record-breaking quarter-of-a-million people attending the matches across the six countries and the action being beamed into more than 135 million homes across the globe, the stage was set for a truly electrifying cricket extravaganza.And the highlights of the action justified the hype around the tournament. Playing for the Antigua Hawksbills, Jamaica soldier Sheldon Cotterrell, who customarily bowls at over 140 kilometres per hour, bowled the fastest ball of the tournament with a 150.1 kilometres per hour thunderbolt.Not to be outdone, Tino Best playing for the St Lucia Zouks, took the honour of bowling seven of the 10 fastest balls in the tournament with a highest speed of 149.6 kilometres per hour.And the batsmen made sure to wow the crowds with a total of 238 sixes and 415 fours being smacked in the tournament — an average of 10 and 17, respectively, per match.Loved by the fans and feared by the bowlers due to his mammoth hitting, Jamaica Tallawahs captain Chris Gayle predictably took the honour for both the fastest 50 of the tournament off just 23 balls against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel — and for blasting the longest six which sailed 114 metres into the stands.Commenting on the cricketing fireworks, winning team captain Gayle said; “Cricket in the Caribbean is all about big powerful displays. It’s always a pleasure to bring the fans to their feet with some serious hitting. And to be able to do that with millions of people watching in the stands and on TV is just a great experience. I had a blast and can’t wait for next year.”CEO of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League, Damien O’Donohoe, added: “There’s nothing like the buzz you get as a cricket fan when these giants of Caribbean cricket are firing on the field. The action in every match was just breathtaking and the crowd revelled in it. It’s fair to say that the action on the pitch matched the fun of it. We’re delighted that the “biggest party in sport” delivered on its promise. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the amazing support and enthusiasm of the fans — I would like to thank them most sincerely for the awesome part they played in making the CPL such a success.“The biggest party in sport” bowled off in Barbados on Tuesday, 30 July and beautifully showcased the Caribbean passion for cricket as it journeyed through six countries across the region culminating in the final in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, August 24, which was won by the Jamaica Tallawahs, who beat the Guyana Amazon Warriors by seven wickets. Planning is now under way for the 2014 staging of the Limacol Caribbean Premier League.Limacol CPL winners Jamaica Tallawahs celebrate their triumph against the Guyana Amazon Warriors. (PHOTO: CPLT20 Ltd 2013)

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Inaugural Limacol CPL breaks records on and off the pitch

VIDEO: Metro breaks down amid Pope visit

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VIDEO: Metro breaks down amid Pope visit