KINGSTON, Jamaica – Another race day filled with all the attributes of enthrallment including; lively wagering, a quite revealing trainers’ championship race, the signalling of a new talent, and the confirmation of a pugnacious battler.
THE QUICK GALLOPER in this the first part of his race day analysis concentrates on the ‘babies, the two-year-olds in the Pick 3 “Super Challenge” Trophy.
The Pick 3 Trophy gave a significant uplift to the credentials of bay colt Brinks (Bern Identity – Indian Bluff) trained by Ian Parsard with Omar Walker in the saddle.
This was Brinks’ second start and to defeat what can be termed more seasoned rivals in such an authoritative manner, while demonstrating that he will have no issues going longer than the seven furlongs of the Pick 3, must be particularly heart-warming for his connections.
It was a smooth win by Brinks, as after tracking the leader, Princess Shooting Star, he went away from all concerned with an increase in his tempo from the top of the straight. Plus, his final time of 1:27.1 for seven furlongs is more than average for a juvenile at this time of the year.
Coming into the Pick 3, trainer Parsard, as can be deduced from his preparation of Brinks, did not overburden his charge. Instead, the conditioner chose to guide Brinks with noticeable care in the mornings, limiting the colt to easy gallops, possibly because he had raced just three weeks earlier.
Brinks thus became the first two-year-old this season to win two races, which, for now, gives him the title of the top juvenile. His next assignment is the one-mile Jamaica Two Year Old Stakes scheduled for the last week of the year. The winner of this race will more than likely be crowned as the champion two-year-old.
Brinks also underscored the continued progress of his sire Bern Identity, who more and more, is producing quality racers.
Of note is that Parsard was winning the Pick 3 Trophy for the first time.
Second, three lengths behind Brinks was Tekapunt (Phillip Parchment). Tekapunt despite some hindrance while going around the turn was still able to run on with vigour in the latter part of the contest. This must be a good sign for his trainer Jason DaCosta, especially with the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes a furlong longer than the Pick 3.
Prncsshootingstar, third by the line gave an improved performance compared with her effort in the 6-furlong Cash Pot. She carried the lead, but many must have noticed that Prncsshootingstar was shutting off in the last furlong thereby giving a clear impression that sprinting will be her career forte.
Highly fancied Slammer, winner of the Cash Pot, and his stablemate Perfect Brew can be considered as no-shows in the Pick 3. Slammer was slowly out of his starting barrier, never recovered thereafter, while Perfect Brew made early progress but was left behind in the stretch.
