LIME Derby to highlight Pick-9

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Tomorrow's mammoth 13-race Derby Day programme, sponsored by the communications giant LIME, offers total prize money of $16.6 million.

From this amount, $9 million has been allocated to the day's showpiece event, the 90th running of the LIME-sponsored Jamaica Derby, the new sponsors contributing $3 million to the purse.

The race, listed as the 12th on the card, has attracted the maximum 16 starters, including hot ante-post favourite MARK MY WORD (Dick Cardenas up), an easy winner of the April 5 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres, the 1000 Guineas heroine AL FOUZIA (Dane Nelson), Oaks winner GABIWITZO (Paul Francis), the recent Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner LIFEISJUSFORLIVING (Omar Walker) and the runner-up in that race, PRINCE ROHAN (Allen Maragh).

The winner is almost sure to come from the above-mentioned group of horses. However, based on his facile victory in the 2000 Guineas and his blanket finish third to the 2009 Superstakes winner HOMBRE in open allowance company over 1820 metres on May 22, the Richard Azan-trained MARK MY WORD looks the one to beat with Cardenas again in the saddle.

Meanwhile, the Pick-9 had no takers last Saturday and the carryover remains at $1 million, The Super-6, however, was caught by two punters - each receiving just over $1 million.

With so many races down for decision tomorrow, the card will facilitate two Super-6s, the first from race one to six, the second from the eighth to the 13th race. The Pick-9 will embrace races five to 13.

We look at the second Super-6 which gets under way with a knotty looking 1400-metre race (non-winners of three) to be contested by 10 starters.

Approach with caution

With hat-trick seeker BORA BORA, NEPTUNE, PALATINE, SKY FORCE, HE'S A DREAMER, ALLORA and OASIS all conceded chances, I would implore punters to approach this race with caution.

The one I like best is the Tony Kirlew-trained SKY FORCE, who caught the eye last Saturday when finishing four lengths fifth to TOBAGO over the distance on a $550,000 claiming tag. NEPTUNE, OASIS and ALLORA should ensure SKY FORCE is extended.

The classy American colt CASSANOVA BOY (Omar Walker up), who is unbeaten in seven starts, ought to be followed when he takes on two tough opponents in top sprinter SAINT CECELIA and the talented American filly HONEYOFALADY in the ninth race, the $1.5 million LIME Sprint over 1300 metres.

RUN CHARM RUN, with the blinkers now removed and topline jockey Paul 'Country' Francis retaining the ride, gets the nod over the lightly raced WAIT A WHILE and PAT N GOLD in the 10th race over 1200 metres for maiden three-year-olds.

COMMANDER ZERO, now dropped in class with Walker up, can be used as a banker (working well) in the 11th race over 1200 metres for overnight allowance horses, a race in which VON-ALMIGHTY (also trekking down) looks his principal danger in a field of 13.

Then, take MARK MY WORD as a banker in the LIME Jamaica Derby, before closing the programme with GO FLINT GO, an impressive fast-time winner on her May 12 debut over 1100 metres. SUPER CENTER and HERROYALHIGHNESS are twin dangers in a full field of 16.

SECOND SUPER-6 FANCIES

(8) SKY FORCE/NEPTUNE

(9) CASSANOVA BOY

(10) RUN CHARM RUN/WAIT A WHILE

(11) COMMANDER ZERO

(12) MARK MY WORD

(13) GO FLINT GO/SUPERCENTER/ HERROYALHIGHNESS