Take Mitaka in Race 9

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

With Wednesday's programme at Caymanas Park offering no Pick-9 wagering due to eight races, the popular exotic bet returns in all its glory tomorrow on a well-supported 11-race programme.

The Pick-9 starts anew with the minimum guarantee of $1 million, this from race three to 11, while the first Super-6 (no carryover) embraces the first six races and the overlapping Super-6 follows from race six to 11.

We look at the second Super-6, which gets under way with a three-y-o maiden condition race (fillies only) over the straight five course, to be contested by 11 starters.

Indications are that this race will come down to a straight fight between DANCING GOLD, to be ridden by champion jockey Omar Walker and TERRA MARIQUE, with five-time champion Trevor Simpson aboard.

Good speed

Both fillies have shown good speed in their races and have also worked well. The more experienced TERRA MARIQUE finished a close second to CASHMERE GOLD over 1300 metres on January 30 and subsequently finished 3¹/⁴ lengths third to AWILDSHEWILD over 1200 metres on February 12. That form reads pretty good.

Still, preference is for the Howard Jaghai-trained DANCING GOLD, a lightly raced chestnut filly who has not only worked well since her last race on February 12, but has been administered Lasix for the first time as well. This should help her cause immensely and having looked fluent when galloping 1:01.1 by 47.1 out of the straight last Monday morning, the hint should be taken.

LUX, having been dropped in class for the seventh race (claiming $250,000), should prove too good for CAJUN FIDDLER and MYRTLE WAY over 1500 metres, to be contested by 13 starters.

LUX, who is trained by Roy 'Lambada' Matthews, finished 6³/⁴ lengths fifth to MAHARANI over this trip on a $350,000 claiming tag on January 15, after being slowly into stride, and having been kept on the move at exercise in preparation for this race, should come into her own with a win.

Next on the programme is a three-y-o maiden condition race over 1820 metres which will more than likely come down to a straight fight between the lightly raced HERMOSO AMIGO and ORDEROF-DISTINCTION to be ridden by Andre Martin and champion jockey Omar Walker, respectively.

While the Lee Charke-trained ORDEROFDISTIBCTION has been knocking at the door, preference is for Hombre's little brother HERMOSO AMIGO, who failed by a nose to win on his recent debut when apprentice-ridden. Trainer Noel Ennevor has called up Superstakes-winning jockey Martin to ride HERMOSO AMIGO, who looks pretty useful and should recoup losses.

MITAKA, with a mere 48.0kg, is weighted to win the ninth race over 1600 metres at the expense of THEDIVINEKING and GANGSTER. MITAKA notched his last win in December and following her good second to MAHARANI over 1500 metres on January 15, should go one better.

The 10th race for the King's Plate (open allowance) should resolve itself into a straight fight between the imported horses PRICELESS BEAUTY and BURST OF ENERGY, both of whom finished heads on for third and fourth, respectively, in a fast-run 1300-metre race won by the very talented DOUBLE THE HONEY on February 12. Given this milder pace, the Morris Powell-trained Canadian mare PRICELESS BEAUTY is preferred.

Then, take down-in-class course specialist RISK REWARDS to win the closing straight five race (claiming $180,000) ahead of FRENCH ROGUE (consistent) and FIRST EDITION, who went down fighting against PROGRESSIVE in the Long Shot Trophy on Wednesday.

SECOND SUPER-6 FANCIES

(6) DANCING GOLD/TERRA MARIQUE

(7) LUX/CAJUN FIDDLER/MYRTLE WAY

(8) HERMOSO AMIGO/ORDEROFDISTINCTION

(9) MITAKA/THEDIVINEKING

(10) PRICELESS BEAUTY

(11) RISK REWARDS/FRENCH ROGUE/FIRST EDITION