Show Time ends Mercedes’ dominance in Midsummer Classic

Young trainer and owner Kenny Joseph was elated to win the first triple crown race of his career, saddling three-year-old filly Show Time to end the dominance of pre-race favourite Mercedes in The Midsummer Creole Classic, the second leg of the Barbados triple crown on Saturday.

Mercedes, who was undefeated in four starts this year, including the first leg of the Triple Crown Barbados Guineas, was recovering from chip bone surgery and many had thought connections should have skipped the Midsummer.

Show Time, under jockey Delano Lopez, broke from the 1800 start straight to the lead just like she did in the Breeders stakes, which she had won on April 27, as she was the only horse in the field to win at the 1800-metre trip.

Mercedes was dead last at the beginning as Show Time carried the field through a merry gallop from Heroes Day in the early stages.

There were disappointed looks on the faces of Mercedes fans in the crowd but that all changed when she made a bold move at the two furlong. But it was not enough to catch the front runner Show Time as she made her mark as the early derby favourite.

Show Time went on to win from Queen of the South, Luscious and Mercedes in fourth in a time of 155.4.

(Kent Layne)