Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
MIRACLE MAN, running at odds of 9-2 with Florida-based Jamaican jockey Allen Maragh aboard, romps the 27th Red Stripe Superstakes over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday. Miracle Man went from post-to-post, scoring by six lengths over Distinctly Irish (right) with Winston Griffiths aboard and fourth place Good Company (left), ridden by CHarles Hussey. Eleven ran. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER.
EFFORTS ARE being made to enable Derby and Superstakes winner MIRACLE MAN to take his chance in the upcoming Caribbean Classic to be run at the El Commandante racetrack in Puerto Rico on Sunday, December 4.
After his impressive fast-time victory in the 27th Red Stripe Superstakes over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park on Saturday, owner/breeder Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany said that not enough was being done by the authorities to ensure that his classy three-year-old colt by Law Of The Sea out of Hya would run in this year's Caribbean Classic, despite his stated intention to run him in the super rich 10-furlong race.
LAST DITCH EFFORTS
Following Saturday's post-to-post win, however, last ditch efforts were made by the chairman of the Jamaica Racing Commission, Rudolph Muir, and others such as CTL and the Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, to put MIRACLE MAN on a plane to Puerto Rico yesterday in order to meet the quarantine deadline in that country.
Despite efforts to get him on the plane in time, those involved took another option and MIRACLE MAN will leave either this afternoon or tomorrow, not for Puerto Rico but Miami, where he will be held in quarantine until November 28. He will leave for Puerto Rico on that date, ahead of nominations for the race on November 29.
Miracle Man will be accompanied by his legendary trainer Allan 'Billy' Williams and groom, Anthony McLeod.
Significantly, this is the second time that Williams will be taking a horse to Puerto Rico for the Caribbean Classic. In 1977 he accompanied his Derby winner LEGAL LIGHT who contested the race along with Jamaica's other entry, HARLEQUIN.
LEGAL LIGHT
Williams migrated to North America after the Classic and LEGAL LIGHT was transferred to the stables of trainer Kenneth Mattis who won two 'Horse of the Year' awards and numerous important races with him, including the first ever Superstakes in 1978.
In the mid-'90s, Jamaica withdrew its participation in the Caribbean Classic due to a number of grouses with the organisers, but reapplied this year. Despite objections from Mexico, Jamaica was readmitted by the confederation at a meeting attended by JRC chief steward Lloyd Cobran in August.
According to top jockeys' agent Donovan Wilson, MIRACLE MAN will again be ridden by his client Allen 'Bungo John' Maragh, despite having to go with overweight.
