California Crown poised to reign in ‘Jolly Man’ Najair Memorial Trophy feature

SUNDAY’S $1.25 million Vassell “Jolly Man” Najair Memorial Trophy feature race over five and a half furlongs (1,100m) has attracted a competitive field of 12 runners in Overnight Allowance company, but all eyes will be on Jason DaCosta’s California Crown to deliver. The five-year-old chestnut horse California Crown ( Hedge Fund – Dream Big) drops in class after acquitting himself well against tougher opposition and possesses the tactical speed to either lead or stalk just off the pace. Over this sharp five and a half furlongs trip at Caymanas Park today, he will take a world of catching and starts as the firm favourite. Although he has only one win from 11 starts this season, he is much better than this level. He has worked really well coming into this race, having gone 1:05.10 minutes for five and a half furlongs, with the last five furlongs done in 59.30 seconds last Sunday. Robert Halledeen replaces Tevin Foster aboard California Crown. The contest is positioned as the eighth event on the ninerace card, with a post time of 4:35 pm. The first race is at 11:50 am. California Crown’s biggest threat should come from Fit to Fire, a four-year-old Americanbred dark bay/brown gelding trained by Omar Williams. Fit to Fire caught the eye on local debut when finishing an excellent second behind Of A Revolution over six and a half furlongs (1,300m) on September 26. With that run under his belt and reportedly training well since, he has race fitness on his side and is expected to go quite close. He is a big player. The ever-consistent Wall Street Trader (USA) cannot be discounted. Mr Consistency at this level, he rarely runs a bad race and always finds a spot in the superfecta. He will be doing his best work late and should be in the mix for a share. Diesel Train (USA) brings the strongest form lines in the field. He was second behind record-holder Phenomenal Power over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m) in a blistering time on July 4. The cutback to five and a half furlongs should not inconvenience this classy gelding, and he must be respected as a live upset chance. The pace will be ensured by She’s That Girl. Blessed with raw early speed, she is the likely pacesetter who will make sure the fractions are honest. The big question is whether she can see it out to the wire, as she has tended to fade inside the final furlong. Among the outsiders, Commander Z (USA) is honest and tries hard but finds winning difficult, while youngster Mohanlal is talented but this sharp sprint against seasoned campaigners may come too soon and he is likely to be outsped early. The remainder can be safely bypassed on current form. Cooler King (USA) is still working his way back, while Unspun, Abreatheoffreshair, Bulletproofcoffee, and Divine Force (USA) have all shown little to suggest they can trouble the principals. Ones to watch Race 1) Drone Strike/ Genealogy/Mo Aviator Race 2) Unruly Don/Wayne’s Princess/Kusmi Race 3) Sir John/Himaya/ Sweet Victory Race 4) Shan Shan/Rejected Knight/Susie Q Race 5) Brompton Boy/Undisclosdlocation/ Bestdaughterinlaw Race 6) Mr Carter/Total Eclipse/Altair Race 7) Another Mission/ Alkebulan/Dark Matter Race 8) California Crown/ Fit to Fire/Diesel Train Race 9) Minnehaha/ Gulfstream Cat/Abudar