Mouttet Mile preview split across three big races this weekend

DECEMBER’S MOUTTET Mile cast is spread over three events on Saturday’s 10-race card – the St Elizabeth Distaff, Jamaica Cup and Port Royal Sprint – a fitting build-up to the US$150,000 humdinger set for December 2.

Canada-bred AMERICAN TAP and United States importee DESERT OF MALIBU collide in the overnight-allowance St Elizabeth Distaff at a mile, both unbeaten on local soil. It will take a brave punter to try separating the two foreigners.

Whereas four-year-old DESERT OF MALIBU has flown home in three victories, clocking an incredible 1:05.2 for five and a half furlongs last out, AMERICAN TAP, who has won four races in North America, looked none the worse, as a six-year-old, when running away from rivals in 58.2 at five furlongs straight when making a winning debut on October 21.

Gold Cup runner-up MAHOGANY is expected to trample graded stakes-open allowance rivals in the six-furlong Port Royal Sprint following his easy victory at five furlongs round two weeks ago.

RUNAWAY ALGO and last year’s winner, ATOMICA, clash in what could be an intriguing affair in the Jamaica Cup at nine and a half furlongs.

Thrown to the lions by the handicappers in the September 9 None Such Sprint at six furlongs, allowing SHE’S MY DESTINY 27lb, United States-bred RUNAWAY ALGO was stopped in his tracks by the five-year-old local-bred filly, who followed up by chasing down MAHOGANY to win the Gold Cup on her next outing.

Though he still has topweight 126lb, RUNAWAY ALGO will be far more comfortable on the route course, taking on ATOMICA, who blew away rivals in her last four races but has only finished ahead of the foreigner once in three meetings.

ATOMICA’s last three victories were against the same horse, MINIATURE MAN, who had to lower his sights to beat overnight-allowance runners for his last win in May. Though she’ is a super filly, ATOMICA sits only seven pounds off RUNAWAY ALGO, who has shown how destructive he can be on an unmolested lead.