Trainer John O'Brien continued his fine run yesterday when he saddled War of Words to win the feature NLCB Easter Guineas impressively by 1 3/4 lengths from stablemates Pot of Gold and Prince Zeshan.
Sent off as 6/5 favourite, the Anthony Wight owned gelding became the second maiden to win the prestigious Grade One event, following in the footsteps of Unquestionable which took the prize last year.
The 1,800 metres event which is the first leg of the triple crown, saw experienced jockey Emile Ramsammy put Pot of Gold in the lead from the off, with Readyfortheroad chasing.
However, Nobel Abrego sent Prince Zeshan into the lead down the backstretch with Readyfortheroad and Pot Of Gold close up. Black Pepper, War of Words and Run Ron and Heid Tzippi followed with Afterthebook holding the tail in the eight-horse field.
Pot of Gold loomed large at the far turn as Ramsammy began to play his hand. However, Patrick Husband moved War of Words closer as the pace quickened.
A loud cheer went up with 500 metres left as Ramsammy allowed Pot of Gold to take the lead in hunt of the $189,000 first prize cheque. Abrego held on to Prince Zeshan for a run in the straight as War of Words came on the bridle to the leaders under Husbands.
The three O'Brien runners separated themselves from the rest of the field and suddenly the complexion of the race changed as Husbands brought War of Words to challenge Pot of Gold as Prince Zeshan kept on at one pace.
The result was never in doubt thereafter as the Jamaican bred horse quickly asserted, pulling clear of his stablemates for a comfortable success. War of Words recorded the time of 1:55.1 for the trip.
O'Brien thus became the first trainer to lead in a 1-2-3 in the Guineas.
A happy O'Brien who was winning the event for a fourth time stated: "Since last season he showed us that he would be a better horse going two turns. He ran a great race on his debut when staying on strongly behind Pot Of Gold. The longer the trip the better he will run and we knew to win we had to bring in a jockey that would beat Emile Ramsammy. It worked as Husband rode superbly to win."
An elated Husbands commented, "I had a perfect trip. I just did not want to hit the front too early, that is why I kept holding on to him. But once I set him alight there was going to be only one winner."
Owner Wight could not hide his joy. He commented: "This is my first Stakes win. I am very happy to win my first Stakes races. Silent Reproach was third in the Guineas, third in the Midsummer Classic and firth in the Derby but War of Words has changed this all."
Wight showered praise on trainer O'Brien and his team of Anthony 'Float" Leotaud and the groom Richard 'Rambo' John. "It would be remiss of me not to mention Glenn Mendez who helped me at the sales in Jamaica to select this horse. He is a thorough stayer and will go close in the remaining classics. We all know he is the only horse now that has the chance to win the 'Triple Crown."
In the undercard, Kenneth DeSilva's Nominee scored a minor upset in the co-feature NLCB Champagne Stakes over 1,600 metros on the turf.
Superbly ridden by Abrego, Nominee was always tracking the pace-setting Silverleo before favourite Just Call Me Roger cruised into contention and into the lead going to the far turn. However, it was at the top of the straight that the race took a different turn with Just Call Me Roger sprinting clear by three lengths seemingly putting the race to bed. That was not to be as Abrego switched Nominee to the inside and the Antonio Navarro owned four-year-old colt found another gear to grudgingly peg back Just Call Me Roger in the final 50 metres.
Nominee recorded the times of 1:37.50 for the trip.
The days biggest upset came in the ninth event when Red Howler came bursting up the inside to win at odds of 42/1 for apprentice David Butcher. The Hi-5 in the event paid a whopping $180,416,40. The combination of Red Howler, Pac Man, Fearghas, Painted Budhha and Super Sonic was selected by a very lucky punter.
Training honours for the day were shared between O'Brien and Kenneth De Silva (Jnr).
Riding honours for the NLCB Day at the Races went to Wilmer Galviz who landed two winners.
NLCB EASTER DAY RACING RESULTS
R1: - CASH POT BUS DE POT EVERY DAY - 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 100-70- 1200M - $60,000
1 (7) Crime of Passion B Boodramsing 50.0
2 (2) Slippery Sam N Patrick 55
3 (4) Intact E Ramsammy 57.0
4 (1) Black Genius K Khelawan 50.5
TIME:1:12.3 DISTANCES: 3 3/4, 3 1/4, 6 1/4, 1 1/2
$1PARI: (7) $2.45; $2.20 ; (2) $2.50
$1EXACTA: $13.10
TRIFECTA: $18.90 SUPERFECTA: $57.20
WINNER: 3 yo. ch.c Lawyer Ron/Ihavemyeyesonyou (Crafty Prospector)
OWNER: Raroma Stable TRAINER: John O'Brien
BREEDER: Liberation Farm & Oratis Thorughbreds (Kentcky, USA)
ALSO RAN: 5. Officer Ike P Badrie 50.0; 6. Blackstone Street K Razack 49.5; Rewardinheaven R Hernandez 53.5 (DNF) NON-RUNNER: (5) El Bandido De Oro
R2: 12.10 PM - DONSAI GAME FOR A LIME - WI BRED 4 YO & OVER MAIDENS - 1100M (Turf) - $32,000
1 (11) Champagne on Ice J Samuel 55.5
2 (10) Sparkling Silver K Razack 48.0
3 (5) Rest Assured B Boodramsing 50.5
4 (12) Born To Win P Badrie 54.5
5 (8) Skyzim F Manrrique 54.5
TIME: 1:06.4 DISTANCES: 2 1/4, 1 1/2, 1, NK.
$1PARI: (11) $5.85, $1.65; (10) $2.40; (5) $1.40
$1EXACTA: $53.00
TRIFECTA: $291.60 HI-5: $18,297.60
WINNER: 4 y.o. ch. c - Stanley Park/As Time Goes By (Researching)
OWNER: Stephan Narinesingh TRAINER: Hariram Gobin
BREEDER: Jason Lewis & Keon Porter
ALSO RAN: 6. Casino Host R Ali 49.0; 7. Royal Bnker S Samuel 49.5; 8. Le Cheraux Dansur L Lopez 49.0; 9. Chelsi Magic N Flavenney 54.5; 10. Sixh Street R Hasranah 50.5; Herald's Angel K Khelawan 48.5 (DNF). NON-RUNNER: (3) Hidden Agenda
R3: 12.50 PM - PICK 2 ALL IN A DAY'S PLAY - 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 60-45-1600M (Turf) - $40,000
1 (1) Settled W Galviz 545
2 (2) Actin Time K Balgobin 53.0
3 (5) Enigmatic P Badrie 53.5
4 (4) Island Star P Husband 55.5
TIME: 1:40.0 DISTANCES: 4 3/4, 3 3/4, 2 1/2, 3/4.
$1PARI: (4) $5.30; $2.00; (1) $2.10; (5) $1.55.
$1EXACTA: $50.60
TRIFECTA: $228.20 SUPERFECTA: $494.60
WINNER: 4 yo dk.b.c - Settle Up/Blushing Sky (Sky Classic)
OWNER: Antonio Navarro TRAINER: Kenneth De Silva (Jnr)
BREEDER:Paradise Farms Limited
ALSO RAN: 5. Malibu Height N Abrego 55.0; 6. Lookin At Lovely J Samuel 57.0; 7. Oro De Cordoba E Ramsammy 57.5; 8. Street Justice S Jadoo 53.0. NON-RUNNER: (8) Sam's Selection
R4: 1.30 PM - PLAY WHE MAKE YOUR MARK TODAY - 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 45-0 - 1100M (Turf) - $33,000
1 (11) Bonnie W Galviz 54.0
2 (12) Riches Abound D Butcher 54.0
3 (7) Prados Wells E Ramsammy 56.0
4 (13) Star Diamond N Flavenney 55.0
5 (10) Satya Treasure J Samuel 56.5
TIME: 1:05.4 DISTANCES: 1 1/2, 1 1/2, SH, 1 3/4.
$1PARI: (11) $10.60, $2.80; (12) $2.85; (7) $1.70
$1EXACTA: $72.90
TRIFECTA: $556.40 HI-5: $5,637.10
WINNER: 4 yo b.f Alisios/Lawless (Conquistador Cielo)
OWNER: Harold Chadee TRAINER: Harold Chadee
BREEDER: YS 1955 Ltd (Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 6. Danzig's Day K Razack 48.5; 7. Zipitup P Badrie 51.5; 8. Nothing Left R Hernandez 54.5; 9. Martha R Ali 56.5; 10. Added Time S Samuel 52.0; 11. Cordell Walker K Khelawan 54.0. NON-RUNNERS: (5) Flight On Time; (8) Dring Brinks.
R5: 2.10 PM - SCRATCH MATCH AND WIN - 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 70-55 - 1350M - $43,000
1 (7) Ramblin Rose R Jadoo 57.0
2 (1) A Great Millenium B Boodramsin 55
3 (6) Becquerel K Khelawan 54
4 (10) Mambo Cat S Rodrigo 54.5
TIME: 1:22.2 DISTANCES: 7 3/4, 1/2, 1 , 2.
$1PARI: (7) $1.55, $1.35; (1) $2.95; (6)$1.50
$1EXACTA: $19.40
TRIFECTA: $90.70 SUPERFECTA: $280.30
WINNER: 4 yo ch.f - A Great Team/Hollywood Heidi (Freshly Squeezed)
OWNER: Louis De Meillac TRAINER: Glenn Mendez
BREEDER: Baxter's Limited
ALSO RAN: 5.Caro's Legacy E Ramsammy 54.5; 6. Burst of Energy N Patrick 52.5; 7. Believe It Or Not R Hernandez 53.5; 8. Frankestein P Badrie 53.0; 9. Golden Flight R Ali 54.0; 10. Captive Witness N Samaroo53.5
R6: 2.50 PM - VIA THE CONVENIENT WAY TO PLAY - WI BRED 3 YO MAIDENS- 1200M - $43,000
1 (12) Brash N Willing E Ramsammy 53.5
2 (16) Galadriel R Hasranah 52.5
3 (3) Big Proit R Jadoo 53.0
4 (2) Release D Beast F Manrrrique 55.0
5 (14) Convoy R Hernandez 54.0
TIME: 1:15.78 DISTANCES: 2, 1, Hd, 1 1/2.
$1PARI: (12) $2.20, $1.45; (16) $1.80; (3)$7.10
$1EXACTA: $9.90
TRIFECTA: $177.20 Hi-5: $46,902.00(carry over)
WINNER: 3 y.o.b. filly - Maraahel/Willing To Spend (Freshly Squeezed)
OWNER: Olympus Stables TRAINER: M Carew Jr
BREEDER: Andrew Gabriel
ALSO RAN: 6. Atlantica B Boodramsing 50.5; 7. Something Black S Rodrigo 53.5; 8. Wise Decision K Khelawan 50.5; 9. Zorro D Butcher 51.5; 10. Battle Bound S Samuel 52.5; 11. Dream Marshall W Galviz 57.0; 12. Monica Do Do K Jadoo 53.0; 13. Cafe's Marque J Samuel 57.0; 14. Princess Zara R Ali 52.5; 15. Ramgalba D Gopie 54.0 ; 8. Straight One K Balgobin 54.0; 9. Sapphire D Gopie 53.5. NON-RUNNERS: (1)Pearl Secret; (16)Hannah's Champion; (18)Advantage Them; (19)Big Red.
R7: 3.30PM - NLCB CHAMPAGNE STAKES (GR.I) - 3 YO & OVER HORSES- 1600M (Turf) - $150,000
1 (3) Nominee N Abrego 56.5
2 (4) Just Call Me Roger W Galviz 56.5
3 (9) Mobthewarriorr B Boodramsing 56.5
4 (5) Fly Junior P Husbands 56.5
TIME: 1:37.2 DISTANCES: 1, 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 3..
$1PARI: (3) $4.85, $1.35; (4) $1.15; (9) $1.20
$1EXACTA: $13.40
TRIFECTA: $42.50 SUPERFECTA: $25.00
WINNER: 4 yo b. colt - Awesome Again/La Porta (Distorted Humor)
OWNER: Antonio Navarro TRAINER: K De Silva Jr
BREEDER: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (Kentucky, USA)
ALSO RAN: 5. Lang Amour J Samuel 57.0; 6. No Just Cause K Balgobin 56.5; 7. Silverleo E Ramsammy 565. JF: (7) Toro Rosso. NON-RUNNER: (8) Joezel.
R8: 4.10 PM - FIND YOUR FOUR PICK 4 - 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 55-40 - 1350M - $36,400
1 (4) Red Howler DButcher 51.0
2 (12) Pacman N Abrego 57.0
3 (15) Fearghas N Samaroo 52.5
4 (11) Painted Buddha R Hernandz 53.0
5 (2) Super Sonic J Samuel 57.0
TIME: 1:24.12 DISTANCES: 1 3/4, 1 1/4, Sh Hd, Hd, Hd.
$1PARI: (4) $42.90, $13.15; (12) $3.55; (15) $23.15
$1EXACTA: $561.80
WINNER: 4 yo ch. gelding - A Great Team/Burning Red (Freshly Squeezed)
OWNER: Fairstead Farms TRAINER: C Roberts
BREEDER: Poon Tip Stud Farm Ltd.
ALSO RAN: 6. Northern Hills S Rodrigo 54.5; 7. Chase The Dragon E Ramsammy 56.5; 8. Private Marshall K Razack 52.0; 9. Invictus K Balgobin 54.5; 10. Lady Sage L Lopez 54.5; 11. Charming Lass P Husbands 57.0; 12. Classic Material K Khelawan 53.0; 13. Caipirinha B Bodramsing 56.0; 14. Alexander W Galviz 55.5; 15. Best Defence R Ali 51.5; 16. Consideritdone D Khelawan 53.0.
R9: 4.50 PM - NLCB EASTER GUINEAS (GR.I R) - WI BRED 3 YO-1800M - $315,000
1 (6) War Of Words P Husbands 56.5
2 (7) Pot Of Gold E Ramsammy 56.5
3 (2) Prince Zeshan N Abrego 56.5
4 (8) Run Ron W Galviz 56.5
TIME:1:55.1 DISTANCES: 1 3/4, 3 1/2, 6 3/4, 5 1/4.
$1PARI: (6) $2.55; $1.05 ; (7) $1.05; (2) $1.05
$1EXACTA: $8.90
TRIFECTA: $24.50 SUPERFECTA: $22.00
WINNER: 3 yo. b. gelding War Marshall/Comegowithme (Outrigger)
OWNER: Anthony H Wight TRAINER: J O'Brien
BREEDER: Donald Williams(Jamaica)
ALSO RAN: 5. Afterthebooks K Balgobin 56.5; 6. Black Pepper D Khelawan 54.5; 7. Readyfortheroad P Badrie 56.5; 8. Heidi's Tzippi R Jadoo 54.5.
R10: 5.30 PM - WINNERS ALWAYS PLAY LOTTO PLUS - 3 YO & OVER HORSES RATED 40-0- 1350M - $32,000
1 (12) Thisisit J Samuel 57.0
2 (3) Diamond Queen R Hernandez 54.0
3 (8) Prado's Princess N Abrego 56.5
4 (2) First Emperor S Rodrigo 55.5
5 (4) Little Otis S Samuel 52.5
TIME: 1:24.2 DISTANCES: 4 3/4, 1/2, Neck, 3 1/2.
$1PARI: (12) $4.90, $2.20; (3) $3.50; (8) $2.10
$1EXACTA: $105.20
TRIFECTA: $583.60 HI-5: $9,840.40
WINNER: 4 y.o. b. gelding - A Great Team/Dutchess Trembley (Friendly Lover)
OWNER: Vishan Ali TRAINER: S Khan
BREEDER: Ainsley A Mark
ALSO RAN: 6. Rosie Dream R Ali 56.0; 7. Glittering Gold W Galviz 57.0; 8. The Conqueror P Badrie 50.0; 9. Renewed Dream K Razack 48.5; 10. Mambo Lady N Samaroo 52.0; 11. The Problem Solver E Ramsammy 54.5; 12. Unguarded Moment N Patrick 54.5;13. Young Dinaro N Flavenney 53.0. NON-RUNNERS: (7) On My Own; (9) Unbridled Way; (14) Angelica Jane; (17) Bird King; (18)Slip Away.?
