Nasatol, Saragossa score notable wins

Orville Clarke, Sunday Gleaner Writer

SARAGOSSA and the veteran campaigner NASATOL shared the spotlight at Caymanas Park yesterday with notable wins on the 10-race programme.

The fleet-footed 3-y-o colt SARAGOSSA, running as the 8-5 favourite with in-form Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas riding for topline trainer Anthony Nunes, made virtually all for a decisive win in the overnight allowance feature for the G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Cup over the straight five course.

NASATOL, on the other hand, created local racing history in notching his 35th career win in the second race over the straight (claiming $450,000-$400,000), breaking the all-time record for most wins held by MASTER BLASTER since 2001.

However, the remarkable 10-year-old grey gelding will more than likely be disqualified for his record-equalling win over 1100 metres on July 9, having tested positive for the prohibited substance lidocaine on the first sample.

Although the Jamaica Racing Commission is yet to make it public, NASATOL's trainer Cashbert Khwalsingh yesterday confirmed that the horse tested positive.

At a loss

"I am at a loss to know how this is possible," said Khwalsingh, shortly after the gelding's victory. "This horse thrives on racing and needs only to be brought on to the track to perform. That's why he has won so many races in a long and colourful career, and I am eager to see the result of the second sample," said Khwalsingh, one of six or so trainers to have posted NASATOL to victory over the years.

Bred by Kim Cooper, NASATOL, who has won four of his last five races, started his career with many-time champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, who won a number of races with him.

Trainers Robert Darby Sr and Dennis Lee, among others, have also saddled NASATOL to multiple wins in recent years as the 'iron grey', like ole man river, just keeps rolling on although never one to be trained on the track, but in the equine pool.

His 35 'unofficial' wins have come from 113 career starts with over $11.7 million in lifetime earnings.

Winning jockey Dane Nelson said NASATOL was early in the lead and although pitching a bit passing the furlong pole, still managed to win by 3 1/2 lengths in fast time, ahead of stable-companion WHEEL N DEAL at 10-1 in a field of eight.

"He'll have to drop dead before he stops winning races and could go past 40 wins," said Nelson.

Meanwhile, Cardenas rode two winners in SARAGOSSA and SECRET WEAPON, both trained by 'Baba' Nunes, to join Shane Ellis at the top of the jockeys' standings with 50 wins. Both are five ahead of reigning champion Omar Walker, who returns from a three-day suspension tomorrow with nine rides on the 11-race programme.

In-form apprentice Richard Halledeen stole the riding honours with a hat-trick of wins, comprising RHEA-MARIE at 6-1 in the fifth race, BUNKER DUST at 5-1 in the sixth, and THE REAL PRINCE in the seventh.