Sunday, September 2 2012

OWNERS and trainers have until Wednesday to decide whether they will challenge for this year’s running of the prestigious Trinidad Derby Stakes at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Republic Day, September 24.

To date, there are 25 three-year-olds for which nomination fees have been paid for the race with a purse of $500,000.

Jamaica-bred Free Passage galloped himself into the reckoning for the top prize in the 2000 metres event with a smooth two-length victory in the Nissan race for three-year-olds and over horses rated 70-50 over 1,750 metres on Independence Day, Friday. Also showing that she will take a hand in the finish was The Big Squeeze who won the Neal & Massy Oaks Stakes over 1800 metres by a clear 3 1/4 lengths also on Independence Day.

But the one they all have to beat seems to be Onetokeep from champion trainer John O’Brien’s barn.

The connections will have to pay a fifth nomination fee of $600 to stay in the field for the Blue Riband event.

To date, a total of $107,400.00 in nomination fees have beenb paid by connections.

Here are the 25 for which nomination fees were paid at the fourth stage.



TRINIDAD DERBY STAKES (GRADE 1) - W.I. BRED 3.Y.O.- $500,000 - 2000 METRES

A GREAT IDEA; A GREAT MOMENT; ASIA; BANDWAGON; BIG THING; BLAME IT ON ME; CHARMING LASS; D’COACHMAN; DEVIKA RANI; DIRECTOR DREAM; EL PATRON; FREE PASSAGE;

HONOUR THE LADY; IT GOT TO BE ME; NAUGHTY N NICE; NETTOYER; ONE FORTHEROAD; ONETOKEEP; PEPPERMINT; PISTONS AND RINGS; RAISE YOUR GLASS; TASTE OF TEXAS; THE BIG SQUEEZE; UNQUESTIONABLE; ZAHAWI.