MISS RUTH (right) gets the better of BRUCEONTHELOOSE at Caymanas Park on October 18. BRUCEONTHELOOSE should turn the tables today. File
BRUCEONTHELOOSE should have an easier task against the speedy filly MISS RUTH with an additional furlong to run in this afternoon's $3.5 million Supreme Ventures Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile.
The Philip Feanny-trained colt nabbed Percy Hussey's filly close to home in the November 29 Pick-3 Trophy over seven furlongs, equalling the score after she had beaten him at 1200 metres in the Cash Pot Trophy on October 18.
After cancelling each other's chances of winning the million-dollar bonus for a sweep of three-race Supreme Ventures Two-Year-Old Series, both horses are now primed for the lion's share of the $3.5 million Two-Year-Old Stakes purse and the champion two-year-old title.
However, this afternoon's showdown at a mile, for which an 11-horse field will go to post, should see the colt registering a second straight win against the filly.
Panamanian rider Dick Cardenas will again try to make all the running with MISS RUTH but BRUCEONTHELOOSE, partnered by veteran Winston Griffiths, should wear her down inside the stretch run. She got away from him in the Cash Pot Trophy at six furlongs to score her third straight win, which was only his second start.
However, BRUCEONTHELOOSE was gaining at the end, beaten by a length and three-quarters, and franked the form in the longer Pick-3 Trophy, nailing the filly close home to win by a half-length.
At a mile, MISS RUTH's stamina limitations will be further exposed. Griffiths will be looking to stalk the filly, knowing his colt stays better and will be stronger over the additional furlong.
Both horses looked sharp at exercise last week, MISS RUTH blazing 59.2 in a flat five furlongs whereas BRUCEONTHELOOSE galloped six furlongs in 1:13.3, beating stablemate WESTERN REPORT, who was clocked in 1:14.2
MY SPACE, who was third in the Pick-3 Trophy and returned to frank the form by beating American-bred LITTLE WASP at 1200 metres a week later, should chase home the top two.
The Harry Jackson Memorial at 2400 metres should be won by Superstakes champion AD INFINITUM after his big victory over ALSAFRA on Superday.
AD INFINITUM returned to place sixth at 1400 metres behind AHWHOFAH, ENGLISH STORM and MUCHO GUSTO, a distance well short of his best, finishing only six lengths off the winner.
He had top weight 57 kilos, which none of the three horses in the frame carried, and returns at 56, lighter than MAJOR MAYER, 57, who he had beaten by almost nine lengths in the Superstakes.
Feanny's RUM TALK comes in at 52, down from 57 in the Superstakes, tumbling 11lb after finishing four lengths off AD INFINITUM. However, despite the weight swing in RUM TALK's favour, AD INFINITUM, is the more powerful finisher and should be clear of any late charge Feanny's runner might attempt in the straight.