Lucky Star upsets Jumbo Jet duo to clinch feature event

13th annual Guyana Cup…
By Brandon Corlette
Despite heavy rainfall in the morning hours across the Berbice region, Rising Sun Turf Club was thrilled to the highest when Appado rode Lucky Star to an upset win in the feature event of the 13th annual Guyana Cup.

Action at the race track at Rising Sun

Approximately 7000 individuals, including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other Government Ministers gathered to witness Lucky Star of Cheefon Racing Stables boss the final race, racing over a distance of one mile on the heavy track, to win $2 million.
In second position, Storm Bird continued his form to pocket win $1 million while Settling Star (third) and Simple Slide (fourth) rounded out the top four. Jumbo Jet’s Vera’s Finally and Don’t Overlook, who were overwhelming favourites, failed to perform as expected as they did not clinch top spots.

The defining moment! Lucky Star completes the Guyana Cup feature event in first place (Brandon Corlette photos)

To kick-start the eight-race event, Catholic Boy won the opening race while Sunday Silencer finished in second in the Soreidom Guyana Inc Sprint, J1 3 Years old and Under. Race two, the BM Soat J2 Classic, was won by Gold Again followed by Catch a Glimpse, Mary Ann and Stolen Diamond.
In the 1400-metre A Forrester Lumber Yard L Class Cup, which was the fourth race of the day, Storm Bird dominated while Pickachu came in second and Release the Heat third. In race number five, the Super Bet L Class Cup, Colin Elcok’s Fresh Dancer won the 1400-metre race while Secret Flyer placed second, Silver Charm third and Amazon Warrior rode in fourth.

Jumbo Jet’s Valentina clinches the 3 years’ old event

In the sixth race of the day, the MovieTowne Guyana Derby Stakes (3 years old), Jumbo Jet’s Valentina eased to victory while Isn’t He Perfect (second); Mahaica Star (third) and Ebony Prince (fourth) were the other top horses. Valentina won $1 million in that much-anticipated 3-year-old event.

TNT looked in fine form but Crown the King got the better position in the G-Class

In the penultimate race of the day, the Rising Sun I Class Classic, Not This Time of Shocking Racing Stables clinched first place. Gold Again (second); Mary Ann (third) and Miss Olympic (fourth) were the other finishers.
Kevin Paul was adjudged champion jockey of the eight-race event.
The Jumbo Jet Racing Committee event, which had numerous sponsors assisting, was hailed as a success.