Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Positive ID the one to beat

Published:Friday | February 3, 2023 | 1:10 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
POSITIVE ID, with Jerome Innis aboard, wins the eighth race over a mile at Caymanas Park on Saturday, January 8, 2022.
POSITIVE ID, with Jerome Innis aboard, wins the eighth race over a mile at Caymanas Park on Saturday, January 8, 2022.

POSITIVE ID’s brave second behind LURE OF LUCY at nine furlongs and 25 yards on January 2 makes him the horse to beat in Sunday’s overnight allowance at nine and a half furlongs, though facing course specialist CRIMSON, who was only three-quarter length behind him two Saturdays ago at seven furlongs.

Vastly improved since the back end of last season, POSITIVE ID skipped through non-winners of three and four with ease within two months, debuting in overnight allowance with a close third-place finish at six and a half furlongs behind LABAN.

Continuing his improvement, POSITIVE ID placed fourth in the December 3 Chairman’s Plate at nine furlongs and 25 yards behind MINIATURE MAN, LURE OF LUCY and BRINKS.

POSITIVE ID afterwards lost narrowly to PRINCE MARSHALL at a mile, December 17, followed by his January 2 second-place run behind LURE OF LUCY, who franked her Chairman’s Trophy defeat to MINIATURE MAN.

POSITIVE ID’s improvement is exposed by his two losing margins behind LURE OF LUCY at nine furlongs and 25 yards, three lengths on both occasions, the Chairman’s Plate and January 2.

Last time out, POSITIVE ID was slowly into stride and rushed off his legs to make a bid at a cracking pace set by BILLY WHIZZ with BIG BIG DADDY pressing. Swooping down off the home turn, POSITIVE ID split horses and went after SWEET MAJESTY. However, the leader found a second wind and quickened close home.

MARQUESAS grabbed second from a winded POSITIVE ID while CRIMSON came from far back to claim fourth, suggesting the route trip will be more to his liking.

BILLY WHIZZ returns with topweight 126lb, hoping to make every yard. However, in-form POWER, RING CHARMER and CHARMIN BEAUTY should keep him honest for the closers to pounce.

D HEAD CORNERSTONE ran out of steam on last after straightening fifth behind BILLY WHIZZ, which should again be the case when POSITIVE ID and CRIMSON get rolling.

POSITIVE ID’s form on the route course stands out like a sore thumb, twice three lengths behind improved LURE OF LUCY, who placed third behind I’VE GOT MAGIC and DUKE at a mile last Saturday in open allowance company.