Sun | Jul 26, 2026

Cardenas on feature double

Published:Wednesday | August 10, 2011 | 12:00 AM
CASHMERE GOLD (Georgina Sergeon) is led back to the winners' enclosure by groom Roy Vassell after her 40-1 upset win in the seventh race at Caymanas park last Saturday. A three year-old filly by Western Classic - Shawnee Sunrise, CASHMERE GOLD is owned by Alexander Haber and trained by Wayne DaCosta. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

ACTUS REUS and ANNTRACK, both with leading jockey Dick Cardenas aboard, are tipped to win the respective divisions of the Dr. Clifford Gray Memorial Cup over 1300 metres for maiden three-year-olds at Caymanas Park today.

With only eight races scheduled, punters will be deprived of a chance to win the mushrooming Pick-9 which has a whopping carryover of $6.8 million, and will have to await Saturday's card. Today's post time is 2:00 p.m.

In Division I of the Clifford Gray Memorial, Cardenas rides ACTUS REUS for his trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, who is enjoying a fruitful season with his large string of horses.

ACTUS REUS is winless in eight starts, but his last two races have been encouraging and it could be said he is knocking at the door.

The bay gelding by Traditional out of Awesome Wonder, stayed on well to finish 21/2 lengths third to OVERPRICED and subsequent winner SECRET WEAPON over 1100 metres on July 6. Last time out, on July 20, he was two lengths second from a bad draw to the speedy AUSTIN LUKE over the straight.

ACTUS REUS reports in good nick to vie for this trophy and will prove hard to beat.

Still, others such as WHODAT, GOLD RUNNER, SPIRIT WAY and MY PREROGATIVE will have their supporters and should be used as superfecta horses under ACTUS REUS in the 11-strong field.

Division II should see ANNTRACK coming home ahead of MR ALLIANCE and front-running OUT FOR JUSTICE based on his neck second to ANDY CAPP over 1200 metres at long odds (79-1) on June 25, when ridden by sparingly used Du'von Litchmore.

Unlucky loser

ANNTRACK could be deemed an unlucky loser that day as he was denied a clear run on the inside a furlong out and Litchmore changed course in order to deliver his challenge, just failing to overhaul the winner.

The bay colt from the stables of Wayne Parchment dissipated his chances, with Litchmore again in the saddle, on July 23, running very wide into the straight and ending up 8 1/4 lengths fourth to IAN'S GOLD over 1600 metres.

ANNTRACK has been administered Lasix following that run and, given the positive change of rider today, he should not be beaten in the 10-horse field. MR. ALLIANCE, a length second to SHYANA over 1500 metres on August 1, looks the principal danger with only 50.0kg.

Other firm fancies on the card are OUTRAM RIVER to stave off ODIN in the second race over the straight, SEEK GOLD, under champion jockey Omar Walker, to catch recent winner THEREALPRINCE in the third, BLACKIE DAVIS over SHE'S SPECTACULAR and MAAS LAURIE in the knotty fourth race over the round five course, and KACEY POPS' KID in the nightpan.