KINGSTON, Jamaica - The road to the Triple Crown continues on Sunday (march 12) with the Sir Howard Stakes, a Restricted Allowance II contest for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings going 6 furlongs (1,200m).
The analysis is provided below.
1 - KINDRED SPIRIT – a chestnut colt (April 25) by Key to Power out of Wings of Hope trained by Anthony Nunes with Carlos Blake in the saddle. The only maiden runner in this line-up and that should remain the same after the race is over.
2 - EL AFORTUNADO is a bay colt (January 29) by Bern Identity out of Urgent Appeal trained by Anthony Nunes with Anthony Thomas in the saddle. Got off the mark from the second time of asking over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m) on January 21. El Afortunado came from behind runners to win the race impressively going away by 7 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:08.4. The final time wasn’t all that firing, but the manner in which he accelerated in deep stretch suggested that El Afortunado should be a good one in the making. Now taking orders from Anthony Nunes, El Afortunado is expected to reward his new connections right away.
3 - WHIZZ KIDD is a bay colt (April 19) by Northern Giant out of Mayken Joy trained by Jason DaCosta with Reyan Lewis aboard – Won going 5 furlongs (1,000m) round by a short head in a time of 1:02.4 on February 18. In this small field, Whizz Kidd is expected to run well without winning.
4 - BIG GUY IN THESKY is a bay colt (March 12) by Natural Selection out of Granville Greta trained by Gary Subratie with Dane Dawkins aboard – Was expected to figure on last when finishing in fifth place by over 14 lengths over 7 ½ furlongs (1,500m) on February 20. Big Guy In TheSky, who has been working well, should be on the premises when the race is being decided.
5 - CURLIN’S NOON is a bay colt (March 17) by Perfect Curlin out of Noon It Is trained by Anthony with Linton Steadman aboard – Released the maiden tag on February 22 over 6 furlongs when beating Roaring Thunder by a head in a time of 1:15.3. Against these, Curlin’s Noon is going to find repeating a tall order.
6 - RIDGE LINER is a bay colt (May 27) by Dreamliner out of Ma Grande trained by Dale Murphy with Shavon Townsend aboard – Was an easy 4 ¾-length winner over the straight course on February, beating Truly Begotten Sun in a time of 1:02.0. Ridge Liner is expected to run well but a winning one is, however, not on the table.
