Sharpe anticipates exciting Pick 3 challenge

Solomon Sharpe, chairman of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), said he is expecting an exciting race when the country’s top two-year-old horses renew their rivalry on Sunday in the 15th staging of the Pick-3 Challenge Trophy.

The race, which is for native-bred two-year-old horses, will be run over seven furlongs and carries $3.6 million in purse money.

The unbeaten DEN STREET, from the barn of former champion trainer Wayne daCosta, is the ante-post favourite in the event, and he will run from Gate Five in Sunday’s seven-horse field.

DEN STREET defeated the likes of HOIST THE MAST and SHE’S A WONDER by a short head in his last outing on November 1, and he is poised to repeat that feat on Sunday.

Speaking at yesterday’s post position draw, which was held in the trainers’ room at Caymanas Park, Sharpe said that based on his checks, all the horses in the field have been working well going into the race and, therefore, he was expecting a thrilling contest.

“Things have been going pretty well over the last few weeks because the first leg went well, with three horses going to the wire and DEN STREET winning by a head,” said Sharpe.

“Based on all reports that I have been tracking on my tablet, everybody has been exercising well, and all the different horses have come on in their different races – those who have raced since then – and so we are expecting another exciting finish come Sunday,” he said.

HOIST THE MAST has been drawn in Gate Four, SHE’S A WONDER will compete from seven, and FURTHER AND BEYOND will run from gate two.

The field is competed by SIR JOHN, who is drawn in Gate One, SUPER DUPER will start in Gate Three, and SANTORINI will run from Gate Six.

“Things have been very exciting recently because from the sporting point of view, there have been really good races, and from a betting point of view, we have created 12 millionaires during this month in our Reggae Six,” said Sharpe.

“This Sunday is going to be even better because we are teaming with our parent company (Supreme Ventures Limited), and they are putting on a great race for us, and we continue to put on a great betting product for our racing fans,” he said.