Michal near-perfect in Crop Over Handicap

The Robert Peirce trained Michal won her third 1800-metre event for the year, out of four starts at the distance. She scored the Crop Over Festival Handicap, the feature race on Saturday, at the iconic Garrison Savannah.

The feature event was for three-year-olds rated 52-70, or horses older than three, rated 51 and below. The nine-furlong course carried a total purse of BDS $17,000, with $9,350 worth of spoils going to the victor.

Saint Lucian-born apprentice Arron Daniel was back in the saddle, and riding confidently after sitting out the first six races because of a riding infringement last race day.

With Daniel astride, Michal was placed behind early pace Filmores, before picking up the lead at the two-furlong marker and sprinting off to victory in the final race of the day.

Filmores stayed on for second. Caballito was third, and King Canute fourth in the four-horse field.

Winning trainer Robert Peirce won three races, entering horses in four events on the seven-race card.

Winning owner Round Stable Stud Farm was also elated, just having two horses entered on the day, especially having already won Race 4 with Leah, also trained by Peirce, and ridden by Rickey Walcott.

Peirce’s four wins on the day put him at 24 for the season, far in front of Andrew Nunes, who has 11. The Trainers Champion goes by earnings, however, but there too, Peirce has doubled up on his second-place challenger.

The races  will continue on August 10, Barbados  Derby Day.

(KL)