Superb run by Mark My Word

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Taking over the lead from the final bend, the 3-4 favourite MARK MY WORD romped the 32nd running of the CTL Superstakes over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday to become only the second three-year-old to win both the Triple Crown and Superstakes in the same year.

Ridden by Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas for big-race trainer Richard Azan, who was saddling his sixth winner of the race since DORVAL won it under the legendary George HoSang in 1995, MARK MY WORD moved away in the straight to win by 41/2 lengths from last year's winner HOMBRE (9-2), with Andre Martin again riding for veteran trainer Noel Ennevor.

Finishing third, another 11/4 lengths away, was the even-money second favourite THE GUV, conditioned by Spencer Chung and ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker, who was booed vociferously by a large section of the crowd after the race.

It was the 2009 Derby winner HE'S REALLY OK at 99-1 who showed superior speed to lead passing the stands for the first time, ahead of HOMBRE, followed by MARK MY WORD and THE GUV not far adrift in fourth.

The order remained the same until HOMBRE shot past HE'S REALLY OK on the inside leaving the half mile, at which stage Cardenas wasted no time in asking MARK MY WORD for his winning run.

Gliding sweetly on the bridle approaching the final bend, MARK MY WORD circled HOMBRE entering the straight and following two quick change of holds by Cardenas, put the issue beyond doubt by pulling away from HOMBRE, leaving him to fight it out for second with THE GUV.

expected to cop Horse of the Year

The 3-y-o chestnut colt by Market Rally out of Miss Chestnut covered the distance in the smart time of 2:05.1 and with this facile victory, the Guineas, Derby and St Leger hero should win the Horse of the Year award by unanimous acclaim.

Owned by Elite Bloodstock Limited and bred by HAM Stables Limited, MARK MY WORD, who was purchased for $1.5 million in the 2008 thoroughbred yearling sale, emulated three-time Horse of the Year THE VICEROY, who in 1989 became the first horse to win the Triple Crown and the Superstakes the same year.

According to Azan, MARK BY WORD, who is groomed by Donville Smith, is something special.

"He pleased us in his preparation and coming into the race as the outstanding three-year-old and getting weight from the older horses, I was pretty confident of victory," said the trainer, who posted the illustrious campaigner MENUDO to win four consecutive Superstakes from 1999 to 2002.

On a day when in-form jockey Dane Nelson notched his second four-timer in 24 hours, leading all-time jockey Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths was the toast of Caymanas Park after notching his 1600th career win aboard 1-9 favourite SAINT CECELIA for trainer Spencer Chung in the CTL Caribbean Sprint over 1200m, covering the distance in the smart time of 1:10.1 in winning by 6 1/2 lengths.

Significantly, Griffiths, 52, notched his 1,000th career win 17 years ago to the day on Saturday, November 13, 1993 aboard hot favourite EROS in this very race. The Hall of Fame jockey has been riding since 1975.

Cardenas rode three winners on the card, Azan posted a double, while the impressive American 3-y-o filly RONRON scored a fast-time win in the CTL Imported Mile with Shane Ellis riding for trainer Gary Subratie.

The annual TOBA yearling sale will be held at Caymanas Park today, starting at 9 a.m.