Pontius Pilate ready for big run in Aguilar Mem. Cup

Maiden two-year-olds take the spotlight at Caymanas Park today in the annual renewal of the Andrew H.B. Aguilar Memorial Cup over a mile to be contested by nine starters.

Among the starters is the 2015 record priced yearling PONTIUS PILATE, who flopped on his recent debut over 1200 metres as the howling 1-9 favourite.

The chestnut colt by Forest Danger out of the winner producing mare Sea Treaty was purchased for a whopping $5 million and although letting down his connections when finishing third to the rank outsider THUNDEREBLE on debut, will report much sharper for this race and should recoup losses.

The Anthony Nunes-trained PONTIUS PILATE failed to go the early pace after missing the break, but he can take some positives out of the race in that he was staying on well at the finish, beaten two lengths

EASILY DENIED

He will relish the longer distance of a mile and despite the claims of NIGHT LIGHT and PROUD OF NUCLEAR who have shown promise, PONTIUS PILATE, with Lasix now administered, will not be easily denied.

Significantly, the highly thought of colt will be ridden by former champion jockey Dick Cardenas, who returns to Jamaica after a near two-year absence. The quiet Panamanian was champion in 2011.

Elsewhere on the 10-race programme, the recent winner SCOOP JORDYNE is fancied to repeat in the fourth race over 1200 metres for high claiming horses. Claimed by Lawrence Freemantle after winning recently over the straight, the seven-year-old gelding should have the beating of this level and gets the nod over DRIPPING IN GOLD and WELL BLESSED in a field of eight. Leading jockey Omar Walker has the ride.

I also like FIFTYONESTORM to win the third race, MANDEYA in the sixth and MARIA'S GLORY In the seventh.