Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterPICK-9 ACTIVITY should reach fever pitch at Caymanas Park and its 74 Betting Parlours today with a $10 million payout likely in the popular exotic bet.
With a whopping carryover of $8.1 million from the Ash Wednesday meet whetting the appetite of racing fans, the Pick-9 has eluded punters for the past 13 race days and today it could be no different if the competitive nature of the races is anything to go by.
The last Pick-9 was caught on Saturday, January 11 and since then it has been a nightmare for even the most knowledgeable punters, many of whom have pooled their effort of late in order to find the key.
On Wednesday, mild upsets by PRINCESS MAYESHA at 10-1, FASTGETAWAY at 8-1 and INSATIABLE at 6-1 in the Ash Wednesday Trophy ensured that there would be yet another carryover, as five punters with eight of nine collected $81,363.
One of the winners, who was outdone by INSATIABLE in the penultimate race, vowed that the Pick-9 would be his for the taking today:
"I've decided to plough back every cent in an effort to corner it", he disclosed. "Pardy, I have 10 million reasons for wanting to win it and my hope is that it turns out to be difficult, for the simple reason that I alone would love to cash in".
Meanwhile, 10 horses from the $200,000 - $180,000 claiming spread are slated to contest today's feature for the James B. Dawes Memorial Trophy over 1300 metres. Post time is noon and 11 races are scheduled.
In-form trainer Richie Todd, who leads the pack with most winners (17) so far this season, saddles a strong contender in CLASSY TANYA under champion jockey Trevor Simpson.
The 4-y-o filly was a beaten favourite at 4-5 on February 28, managing only fifth to BIG BELLY SAM over the round five course.
That performance, in which she was checked at the start, is best overlooked. The 4-y-o filly has won over 1200 and 1100 metres in recent months and will find the longer distance no obstacle.
With her fitness not in doubt, CLASSY TANYA will only go down fighting from her convenient mark of 53.0kg.
While expected to run well, CLASSY TANYA can expect stiff opposition from a number of horses, including recent winners WHITE WATER and CIRCLE DE THRONE, along with RAJMIR and the free running MAN OF STAR who will be in the thick of things from his lenient mark of 49.0kg.
CIRCLE DE THRONE and RAJMIR fought out the finish of a circular nine race last Saturday with CIRCLE DE THRONE prevailing by half a length.
Both are still at home over the reduced trip it and will be pretty close between them once again, especially with RAJMIR renewing rivalry on 2.0kg better terms.
Despite this, I like the free running CIRCLE DE THRONE to maintain his superiority over RAJMIR and beat the others, including MAN OF STAR and CLASSY TANYA, as well.
Having won twice already this season, CIRCLE DE THRONE has been consistent for the most part and with the distance right up his street, the 7-y-o gelding from the stables of Michael McIntosh should bring fitness play and complete a quick double with former champion Wesley Henry again in the saddle.
Other firm fancies on the card are CALL ME SACH (consistent) over BLACK EMPRESS in the first of the Pick-9 races, PERSONAL TOUCH (gets the right company) to catch NOWITSKI, MISS HIMO and SANTIAGO in the these races, RED BOOTLACES (super fit) to repeat at the expense of SIG SAUER and bang in form BUSHY PARK RAJA in the 5th, RUCKUS (on top of his game) to resume winning ways in the 7th and ETERNAL STREAM over the well advanced debutante CRUCIAL SEASON in the 8th. Lots of luck. You'll need it.
