Guyana’s premier thoroughbred, Score’s Even was anticipated to return to its winning ways yesterday following a fifth place finish on Easter Sunday.
Spit Fire and Jack In My Style did not get the memo.
The colt from the Shariff Stables and the grey gelding from the Jumbo Jet Stables raced to a dead heat finish in the feature A and Lower 1700m event at Port Mourant, leaving Run Na Na Run and her more celebrated Simply Royal stable mate, Score’s Even four lengths back.
It was another tough Sunday for Score’s Even who once again faded with Rad Drepaul in the stirrups.
Spit Fire stormed out of the second stall and bided its time while Score’s Even fetching a top weight of 130 pounds set a blistering pace on the well prepared track.
Score’s Even had the lead, but Spit Fire fetching 108 pounds was lurking and champion jockey Randolph Richmond was waiting for the right moment to go.
It happened in the final two furlongs.
Around the third turn, Richmond angled the race horse to the outside of the pace setter and the horses were neck-and-neck with three furlongs to go.
And then the race started to unfold.
Spit Fire pinned its ears back and went clear of Score’s Even, taking along another fast finisher, Jack In My Style and Run Na Na Run in the gallop.
However, with one breathtaking surge over the final furlong, seemingly never tired, Spit Fire changed gears again but under the left handed whipping of Colin Ross, Jack In My Style was not to be out-dueled and the judges could not clearly separate the two thoroughbreds at the pole.
Note: If there is a dead heat for a win, wagers are paid on all winning horses and first ($1.2M) and second prize money ($600,000) is divided between the two horses in a double dead heat.
Along with the feature event, there were five other races. Here is a summary of them:
Race 1 (G2 and Lower, 1300m)
Bridlestone Corner ($400,000)
It’s My Choice
Joyful Victory
Race 2 (K non winners, 1000m)
Massakada Dr. ($140,000)
Plane Land
Magaline
Happy Boy
Race 3 (H1 and Lower and Three-Year Old West Indian Bred Maiden, 1300m)
She’s So Special ($240,000)
Cat Messiah
Super Bowl
BirdMan
Race 4 (E1 and Lower, 1300m)
Release The Beast ($500,000)
Swing Easy
Passion for Song
Race 5 (J3 and Lower, 1200m)
Affinity ($160,000)
Little
Speed Vision
Samuel Hinds, spending his last two weeks as Prime Minister was in attendance on behalf of President, Donald Ramotar who was campaigning in Stewartville.
Two horses, Settling Jet and De Gyal Dem Sugar were put down yesterday after they suffered broken legs in separate races.
