Saragossa poised for quick double

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Leading jockey Dick Cardenas, having ridden six winners including MARK MY WORD in the Rum Fire Invitational on Saturday, should chalk up yet another feature race win aboard SARAGOSSA, in the straight-five feature for open allowance horses at Caymanas Park today.

From the in-form stable of trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes, the speedy three-year-old colt is coming off a recent fast-time win over the course in overnight company on July 30 and ,although up in class today, will not go down easily with only 51.0kg.

SARAGOSSA has caught the eye at exercise in preparation for this race, galloping five furlongs from the gate last Wednesday morning in 59.3, the first four in 46.1.

The much-improved bay colt by Saint Appeal out of Pretty Sammy Girl faces what amounts to his stiffest task to date with the likes of talented American colt DOUBLE THE HONEY, PALACE GOLD, BRASH & SASSY, TRIPLE ACCOUNT and the speedy six-year-old horse, SUPER DAVE, present. All are ideally suited to the straight.

A close examination of the runners would reveal that joint topweights DOUBLE THE HONEY and SUPER DAVE are somewhat burdened with 57.0kg. BRASH & SASSY should run well with 55.0kg and champion jockey Omar Walker aboard, so too the up-in-class PALACE GOLD, who goes with a mere 50.0kg following her decisive win over the course on September 10.

Nine-year-old TRIPLE ACCOUNT, who every now and then comes with a giant-killing performance, is getting on in age now, and although back over his pet trip, might not be able to give away the years to a three-year-old like SARAGOSSA.

When last raced on July 30, SARAGOSSA won the highly competitive G.A. 'Sarge' Bucknor Memorial Cup over the straight in the smart time of 57.3 and, now in his element, is tipped to repeat at the expense of BRASH & SASSY.

Resume winning

Elsewhere on the nine-race programme, OVATION, who was not disgraced when finishing fifth to MIKENIFICENT over 2000 metres in overnight company recently, should resume winning ways under customary rider Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths in the sixth race over (non winners of three other than) over 1600 metres.

The race has attracted 10 starters. Whereas Tensang Chung-trained OVATION stands out with 55.0kg, he can expect stiff opposition from the stretch-running THE VALIDICTORIAN, now lightly weighted with Cardenas aboard.

I also like NEVER GIVE UP (knocking at the door) to win the third race over 1100 metres; the well forward 3-y-o debutante SAINT THERESA (Cardenas up) in the fifth; MISS MADGE in the seventh; and MY GIRL NALA to catch MOHEGAN SON in the closing round-five race for three-year-olds.