Visit Barbados Derby wide open

By Kent Layne

Tuesday’s Visit Barbados Derby seems to be a wide-open affair as leading 3-year-old Indelible will not take part.

The Visit Barbados Derby is race 7 on the 8-race card at the Garrison Savannah and will go 2000 meters for Caribbean-bred horses. It has a purse of $68,000.

Indelible won the Stakes and Trophy on April 29, relegating Barbados Guineas winner Letitbeme to second. The victory allowed Indelible to remain undefeated for 2023 in three starts.

LetItbeme, owned and trained by Naz Issa, turned the tables on Indelible in the Barbados Guineas, the first leg of the Barbados Triple Crown a week later, dashing the dreams of Indelible’s owner Sir David Seale.

LetItbeme will have Rickey Walcott onboard at 119 lbs and will run from gate 11

Matilda, who will be one of the favourites, stayed on in the 9-furlong Midsummer Classic, beating ranked outsider Hot Stepper, Priscilla and Order of St George in the process.

Rasheed Hughes has the ride at 119 pounds.

Three-year-old filly, Social Media showed her class by holding off Priscilla on June 17 at 1800 meters, to display her staying ability.

The Andre Medford-trained filly will have Rey Williams aboard at 119 pounds.

 Hot Stepper, owned by the Fearsome Foursome group and trained by Andrew Nunes, has not won a race since last year, but ran an impressive race in the Midsummer Classic and should not be discredited.

 Jarrel Beckles will be in the saddle at 119 lbs.

The rest of the field includes Caribbean Kitten, Priscilla, Pace, Everleigh, Order Of St George, Ameretta, Northern Lady and Healey’s Dream.

My selection: Matilda, LetItbeme, Social Media, Hot Stepper. ]]>