Griffiths 'Raise A Ruckus' in Royal Dad feature

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths moved to within one of his 1600th career win at Caymanas Park yesterday, when booting home the talented American three-year-old colt, RAISE A RUCKUS, to his third consecutive win, this time in the Royal Dad Trophy restricted stakes feature over 1820 metres.

This was indeed a fitting victory for Griffiths, who three decades ago was the regular jockey for the legendary Royal Dad, in whose honour the race is run annually.

Royal Dad, who was trained by Hall of Famer Kenneth Mattis, had the distinction of being the first Triple Crown winner at Caymanas Park in 1981; and also set a record of 11 consecutive wins that year, which was broken by another Triple Crown winner, WAR ZONE (12 straight), in 1996.

Griffiths also rode 'THE DAD' in Puerto Rico at the backend of 1981, when the son of Bagdad-Royal Snob represented Jamaica in the Caribbean Classic. He is one of 36 racehorses to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of Thoroughbred Racing.

RAISE A RUCKUS, installed a 2-5 favourite in a field of seven, was held up in fourth position as stable companion MY BREDREN (6-1) and the rank outsider, IMMANUEL AND KATIE, were engaged in a prolonged duel on the lead, ahead of ROLEX (5-1), who grabbed the lead on the inside approaching the final bend.

three wins from seven starts

At this stage, RAISE A RUCKUS had dropped back to fifth and although forced to come wide into the straight, quickly got into top gear, sweeping past ROLEX and the 9-5 second favourite, PRINCE ROHAN, leaving the furlong pole to beat the latter by 2¹/² lengths.

RAISE RUCKUS has now won three races from seven career starts and, according to his owner, Marcos Dabdoub, of the Houston Stables, the American-bred horse "is going places".

Dabdoub added that the chestnut colt by Graeme Hall out of the Bold Ruckus mare, Likely Ruckus, might run on Superstakes Day (November 13), but the final decision will be left up to Feanny.

Meanwhile, champion and leading jockey Omar Walker, who is on course for a fourth consecutive title, highlighted the nine-race programme with four consecutive winners in SAINT JACORY at 2-1 in the second race, the even-money favourite ROLL THE DICE in the third, THE KING AND I at 5-2 in the fourth and GENERAL CURLIN at 6-5 in the fifth.

He thus pushed his season's tally to 87 - 30 clear of closest rival, the apprentice Aaron Chatrie, who has been sidelined with injury for the past month.

Trainers Feanny, Harry Parsard and Wilfred Chin posted two winners each.