Just Call Me Boss looked like just another steed at the Rising Sun Turf Club yesterday.
Until the final two furlongs that is.
That is when the thoroughbred, with Nicholas Patrick in the stirrups pinned back his ears and kicked clear to win the feature A and Lower eight- furlong event of the Pre-Mashramani meet, beating race favourite, Score’s Even in the process.
The Dark Brown gelding stormed out of third post and bided his time while Guyana’s premier race horse, Score’s Even set a blistering pace in the overcast conditions.
The move under the grey sky came in a flash.
Score’s Even had the lead, Campador and Lady Budapest were lurking as jockey Patrick was waiting for the right moment to go.
The race was going according to his plan.
Around the second turn, Patrick angled the champion race horse to the outside of the pace setter and the horses were neck-and-neck with five furlongs to go. And then the theatrics started to unfold.
Campador went clear, his lead building with every powerful stride and then it happened.
With one breathtaking surge over the final two furlongs, Just Call Me Boss with Campador and Score’s Even on his hip seemingly never tired, displayed his superb sprinting speed. The steed drew off on the home straight to claim the $800,000 first prize for his handlers from the K. Jagdeo Stables by about 10 lengths ahead of Campador.
Score’s Even who returned from a foot injury was guided by Ajai (only name given) to a hard fought third, a further two lengths back, while Lady Budapest finished fourth after tiring on the stretch.
The win marked the fourth consecutive win for Just Call Me Boss at the venue.
Before the feature event, there were five races. Here is a summary of them:
Race 1 (H and Lower)
Big Man Boss ($300,000)
Silver Bell
Ms. Lova Lova
Birdman
Race 2 (L and Lower)
Red Region ($100,000)
Blue Lightning
Quincy
Fit To Fight
Race 3 (Three-Year Old American Bred and E and Lower)
Storm Bird ($400,000)
American Boss
Giant Time
Race 4 (I and Lower)
Liquid Lion ($220,000)
Massapaquea Drive
Plane Land
Affinity
Race 5 (H3 Maiden and I and Lower)
Cat Messiah ($260,000)
Sweet Return
Maryann
Atlantic Storm
Patrick was crowned the champion jockey of yesterday’s meet.
He placed first, second and third in the three races he rode in. In excess of $5M were up for grabs. (Emmerson Campbell)