Hermoso Amigo for Lotto Classic

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

The lightly raced but highly thought of three-year-old colt, HERMOSO AMIGO, is weighted to win the 71st running of the Lotto Classic over 2000 metres for native-bred three-year-olds at Caymanas Park today, the final prep for the June 11 Jamaica Derby.

Notable absentees from the $3.55-million race sponsored by Supreme Ventures are the winners of the three classics run so far - BIG MAN BOYU who romped the April 2 2000 Guineas, NIPHAL, who captured the 1000 Guineas, and CARIDAD, who won the recent Bigga Oaks over today's trip.

Despite their absence, the race should prove a strong pointer to the Derby. In addition to HERMOSO AMIGO, the field of 14 includes the 2000 Guineas runner-up JUSTIN ON FIRE, as well as third-place ERASMO and the fourth-place JET SETTER, along with the improving TECHNOMOTO and the lightly raced MAAS LAURIE.

All of the above should ensure a competitive race, but as far as winning is concerned, the choice has to be HERMOSO AMIGO, who looks conveniently placed in the weights with 53.0kg and champion apprentice Doushane Gordon aboard.

Owned and bred by Wessel Burnett, this free-running chest-nut colt by Saint Appeal out of Muchacha Favourita - a half-brother to the 2009 Superstakes winner HOMBRE - HERMOSO AMIGO will need to pass today's test to stake his claim for Derby honours, especially with main rival BIG MAN BOYU having pleased in his prep against open allowance horses last Saturday.

back-to-back wins

HERMOSO AMIGO has won twice from only three starts, having made his debut on February 16 when beaten by a nose by NOTUS in a three-year-old maiden condition race over 1200 metres.

Since then, he has scored back-to-back runaway wins over 1820 metres, and the fact that he has tremendous scope makes him the one to beat under these favourable conditions.

Ennevor believes his charge is ready to take it to another level.

"He's done everything asked of him and now, facing his first real test, I believe he'll prove equal to

the task," said the veteran trainer, who posted ALLIEDFORCE to win this race in 2006.

Although blessed with a strong pace, HERMOSO AMIGO will have to contend with other noted front-runners, TECHNOMOTO from the in-form stables of Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, and JET SETTER, who is conditioned by the champion trainer, Wayne DaCosta.

But I see no need for him to be involved in a speed duel, but rather to sit and hold a prominent position in second or third, before making his winning move from the half-mile.

I take him to win from JUSTIN ON FIRE (Dane Nelson up) and the Richard Azan-trained ERASMO with champion jockey Omar Walker aboard.

I also like the island's top-rated horse, American-bred RONRON, to win the $1.4 million Lotto Sprint Trophy ahead of last year's winner SAINT CECELIA; SLIGOVILLE to go one better in the fourth, CLEVER CHEROKEE to extend his winning streak in the fifth; DAY STAR in the eighth; and the recent winner, DOLLA WIN, to complete the hat-trick in race nine for the Lotto Championship Trophy.