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MIRACLE MAN ... romped the Confraternity Classic in Puerto Rico yesterday.

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

MIRACLE MAN stamped himself as the greatest native-bred horse in the history of local racing when he romped the US$100,000 Confra-ternity Classic over nine furlongs at the El Commandante racetrack in Puerto Rico yesterday.

Ridden by Florida-based Panamanian jockey Cecilio Penalba for popular owner Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany and veteran Hall of Famer Allan 'Billy' Williams, MIRACLE MAN, toting a mere 49.5kg, a concession to countries that have never won the race, came through at the final bend after racing prominently from soon after the start to win convincingly from the Mexican horse YACK LIDER.

Third went to the 3-2 favourite BORRASCOSO, representing Puerto Rico, finishing third in a field of 11. MIRACLE MAN won at odds of 6-1.

The race was confined to four-year-olds from Central America and the Caribbean.

Significantly, BARRASCOSO won the Caribbean Classic for three-year-olds last year, a race in which MIRACLE MAN should have started, but after leaving the island to be quarantined in Miami, he tested positive for the anti-bodies of tick fever and had to return home, thus missing the race.

Exploded

Caymanas Park exploded with excitement, the likes of which has never been seen, when MIRACLE MAN, the reigning 'Horse of the Year', surged into the lead entering the straight and proceeded to edge away from rivals leaving the furlong pole.

When the big chestnut crossed the finishing line to record his 11th consecutive win and his 10th this year, the excitement among punters who watched the race live via simulcast was so intense that words alone cannot describe it.

Speaking from Puerto Rico, Duany said, knowing MIRACLE MAN and his never say die approach, he was always confident of victory.

"This is my dream horse", he declared. "He just refuses to lose and I knew he would be the first horse in history to do Jamaica proud.

"This is the greatest horse ever born in Jamaica ... He achieved what Indian Flame, Harlequin, Legal Light, Royal Dad, D's A Legend and Sir Howard failed to do - win on foreign soil," added Duany who will take home the winner's share of US58,000 (J$3.8 million).

The official delegation to Puerto Rico was headed by Jamaica Racing Commission chairman Rudolph Muir and included director of racing and chief steward Lloyd Cobran in his capacity as secretary of the West Indian Thoroughbred Racing Association and the JRC's chief veterinarian, Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett, among others.

MIRACLE MAN, who had been in Puerto Rico since November 20 to prepare for the race, is due to return home tomorrow.