Even if it was just for one day, Princess She is Not was the ruler of all local thoroughbreds.
Yesterday, the Dark Bay mare galloped to a shocking gate to pole victory in the feature A and Lower one mile event of the PPP President’s Cup staged at Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club.
With Trinidadian jockey, Razzaq in the stirrups, the champion race horse of the Shariff Racing Stables sent turfites at the club’s track into a frenzy as she sprinted to an upset victory over some of Guyana’s premier trotters including the 1000-lb grey gelding Score’s Even who played second fiddle.
Fans were buzzing with excitement in anticipation of a victory for the favourite, but the mare trampled the pre-race hype and expectations to win the fixture and pocket the appetizing $1.2M first prize.
Here is how the race unfolded: Princess She is Not set a blistering pace straight out the gate and established herself as the early pacesetter. Score’s Even then changed gears to close the gap on the leader, pulling along California Strike and Grand de Roja in the gallop.
Ridden by jockey Rad Drepaul, Score’s Even fetching an eye popping 130lbs, moved into contention down the final stretch but could not sustain his run and catch the flying mare .
Princess She is Not who fetched 108lbs, got a late split on the rails and dived through to score by a half-length.
Score’s Even’s owner Dennis Deoroop would not be too disappointed since he pocketed the $600,000 second place winnings. Half that amount went to Grand De Roja’s owners.
Deoroop however was not pleased with the manner of how Princess She is Not allegedly won the controversial event. He told this publication that Razzaq was illegally using probes to shock the horse at different intervals of the race.
Deoroop also mentioned that the situation is being investigated and an official pronouncement will be made this week.
Here are the full results of the 10-race meet:
Race 1 (K&Lower)
1st Regina ($140,000)
Iron Man
Fit Fight
Magaline
Race 2 (G3 Non winners in 2014 & H&Lower)
1st Silent Night ($260,000)
Super Bowl
Marathon Man
Top of the Line
Race 3 (D3 Non Winners in 2014 & E&Lower)
1st Appealing Harvest ($500,000)
Right to Rule
Swing Easy
Princess Alicia
Race 4 (J3& Lower)
1st Red Jet ($160,000)
Dance for Gold
Swift Away
Speed Vision
Race 5 (Two-Year Old Guyana Bred)
1st Slim Shady
Devil Woman
Amazon Warrior
Race 6 (G1&Lower)
Release the Beast ($300,000)
Settling Jet
Damascus Dream
Battle Hymn
Race 7 (J1&Lower)
1st Famous Pride ($180,000)
Little
Swift Away
Royal Cash
Race 8 (Two-Year Old W.Indian Bred)
1st Gold Kova ($200,000)
Settling Star
Midnight Blue
Race 9 (A1&Lower)
1st Princess She is Not ($1.5M)
Score’s Even
Grand De Roja
California Strike
Race 10
1st Easy to Win ($200,000)
Savion
Lady Secret
Notes: The ‘Sport of Kings’ continues on November 23. In excess of $7m in cash and stakes were up for grabs yesterday. (Emmerson Campbell)
