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Triple Crown beckons Mark My Word - Azan colt set to romp RJR Jamaica St Leger

Published:Saturday | July 10, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Dick Cardenas celebrates winning the 2000 Guineas on April 5. The colt is set to go down in history by securing the rarely accomplished Triple Crown, with a victory in the RJR Jamaica St Leger at Caymanas Park today. - File

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Derby and Guineas winner, MARK MY WORD, looks all set to emerge the 10th Triple Crown winner at Caynanas Park today, when he takes on six opponents in the season's final classic - the RJR Jamaica St Leger over 2000 metres - this for native-bred three-year-olds.

Trained by Richard Azan, the classy chestnut colt by Market Rally out of Miss Chestnut is up against horses he has either beaten in the April 5 2000 Guineas or the June 19 LIME Derby, or both, including the Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner LIFEISJUSFORLIVING, who was beaten into second place by MARK MY WORD in both classics.

A classy sort, MARK MY WORD should secure his place in history after this the 84th running of the St Leger, joining a select band of horses to have won the Triple Crown at Caymanas Park.

These include ROYAL DAD, who won the first Triple Crown there in 1981, THE VICEROY (1989), WAR ZONE (1996) and the filly ALSAFRA in 2008.

Both MARK MY WORD and LIFEISJUSFORLIVING renew rivalry, with Panamanian jockey Dick Cardenas down to ride MARK BY WORD once again and reigning champion Omar Walker retaining the ride on LIFEISJUSFORLIVING.

Champion trainer Wayne Da-Costa will mount a two-pronged challenge with the front-running LIFEISJUSFORLIVING and the recent back-to-back winner, CLASSY PROSPECT, who bypassed the Derby, but was soundly beaten into fourth place by MARK MY WORD in the Guineas.

Exceptional work

After finishing second to MARK MY WORD in the Guineas and Derby, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING has worked exceptionally well for today's rematch, galloping six furlongs in a brisk 1:12.3 on Sunday morning.

On the same day, MARK MY WORD galloped six furlongs as well, but in 1:14.0.

Despite his intense preparation, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING is not expected to turn the tables on MARK MY WORD, who is undoubtedly the better horse over a distance of ground and should extend his winning streak.

Also on the 11-race programme is the RJR 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Trophy race (overnight allowance) at 1820 metres and The Viceroy Trophy grade one race over the same distance, in which the unbeaten American colt, CASANOVA BOY, seeks his ninth consecutive win.

CASSANOVA BOY (Walker up) is eyeing WAR ZONE's all-time record of 12 consecutive wins, set in 1996, and despite top weight of 60.5kg, should not be opposed in a small field of five.

The RJR 60th anniversary Trophy should resolve itself into a straight fight between the DaCosta-trained HEART OF GOLD and the imported filly BELOW THE WAIST, in a field of seven.

HEART OF GOLD, who finished fourth in a blanket finish to HOMBRE, THE GUV and MARK MY WORD over the distance on May 22, steps down in class with a mere 51.0kg and is preferred to BELOW THE WAIST.

I also like down-in-class NATURALLY ROYAL in the sixth; LATIN KING in the seventh; ALEXIS to stave off ENGLISH CONNECTION in the ninth; and KRYPTOGRAM in the nightpan.