- Dennis Coke Hollywood movie star Steven Seagal relaxes with Jamaica DJ Beenie Man at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
HOLLYWOOD movie star Steven Seagal upstaged the horses when he visited Caymanas Park yesterday, but despite the clamour to see the big action hero, DEPUTY'S REPORT claimed some of the spotlight in winning the Arthur Jones Memorial Cup under the crushing impost of 60.5 kg.
Racing in the blinkers for the first time, DEPUTY'S REPORT, installed a 4-5 favourite with three-time champion Charles Hussey aboard, won by a length and a half from 7-2 chance SOLID IMPACT who in turn had four lengths to spare over the reigning champion sprinter GAILY DECORATED (8-5) in third.
It was the winner's lesser fancied stable-companion DOM PERIGNON who led from SOLID IMPACT, GAILY DECORATED and DEPUTY'S REPORT who was not the best away in the six-horse field.
DEPUTY'S REPORT mounted his challenge three wide entering the straight and after a brief duel with SOLID IMPACT, gained the ascendancy a furlong out.
The winner, an American bred 5-y-o horse by Corporate Report out of Deputy Darlin, is owned by Lawrence Heffes and trained by Jose Pinchin. Heffes was elated with this victory.
"He was working too good in the blinkers to be beaten today", he declared.
"The blinkers brought out the tiger in him... it made him fight. As things now stand we'll keep him in training for the rest of the season and hope he remains sound", added the 1998 champion owner who said in retrospect it was the right decision to bring back DEPUTY'S REPORT to race in Jamaica following a brief stint in Florida last year.
Heffes completed a fine double in the very next race when the 50-1 outsider STORM GATE, ridden by apprentice Larris Allen, won the closing Jockeys' Association Trophy (claiming $120,000 - $100,000) over 1600 metres in decisive fashion.
The Jockeys' Association Day programme, which saw CTL honouring the reigning champion jockey Shane Ellis, featured as many as five trophy races and a CTL/Equestrian Federation of Jamaica Ladies Race over 400 metres (straight). This was won in post to post fashion by 9-1 chance JOSEPH, ridden by Trina Delisser, president of the Equestrian Federation of Jamaica.
Meanwhile, Seagal whose new movie, Exit Wounds co-starring rapper DMX, debuted in the No. 1 spot at the box office in the United States last weekend, took time out to visit the track in mid-afternoon as special guest of CTL.
The star of such films as Under Siege, Marked for Death and Out For Justice was accompanied by Beenie Man and Carlene, his manager Wayne Thompson, assistant manager Neil Prashad and his personal physician Erik Fleishman.
Seagal is in Jamaica to do an album. "He's a fantastic guitar player, songwriter and singer," disclosed his manager.
"I like it here," said Seagal who has visited Jamaica before. "It's real cool". He is scheduled to leave on April 1."
