By Ainsley Walters, Staff Reporter
MIRACLE MAN (Allen Maragh up) parading before the main stand at Caymanas Park after his impressive win in the 2005 renewal of the Red Stripe Superstakes. - ricardo makyn
MIRACLE MAN's SMASHING performance in last Saturday's Red Stripe Superstakes has sent the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) scrambling to jet the big chestnut colt off to the December 4 Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico.
Apparently nobody, including the JRC, took owner Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany seriously on October 26 after MIRCLE MAN's shock loss to the subsequently disqualified ALL FOR PLEASURE in the Royal Dad Trophy, two-and-a-half weeks before the Superstakes.
"I think I have to go back to the drawing board," Duany said then.
"I need a better run from MIRACLE MAN as there are some big races ahead for him. We have the Red Stripe Superstakes and then we will be looking to the Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico on December 4," the confident owner told stunned reporters after his runner was miraculously awarded the race in the stewards room.
TRUE WORDS
Duany's words rang true on Saturday when Allan E. 'Billy' William's-trained MIRACLE MAN humbled defending champion DISTINCTLY IRISH in the Superstakes, posting the fastest 10-furlong time recorded at Caymanas Park in eight years.
The colt's impressive win jerked the JRC into action but too late to meet yesterday's quarantine deadline in Puerto Rico.
However, JRC chairman Rudolph Muir yesterday told STAR Sports of a Plan B.
"We'll have to go through Miami for quarantine," he said. "The quarantine deadline for Puerto Rico was five o'clock today so we're trying to quarantine in Miami. Nomination for the race is November 29 in Puerto Rico and the horse has to be there by the 28th," he explained.
Muir was unable to say when MIRACLE MAN would reach Puerto Rico.
"That would depend on the flight schedule and quarantine period in Miami," said the JRC boos, adding that the quarantine period in Miami is seven days.
"We still have some time on hand," he pointed out.
Muir said transportation costs, which have proven prohibitive to inter-regional racing, will be covered jointly by Caymanas Track Limited, the JRC and the horses' connections, if needed.
"We don't have a definite handle on costs but the commission and CTL will make contributions to sending the horse," said Muir before dismissing suggestions that preparations only started after MIRACLE MAN's Superstakes win on Saturday.
BEST EVER PERFORMANCE
"We had cleared the way from as way back in July when chief steward Lloyd Cobran travelled to Puerto Rico to meet with delegates to argue reinstatement to the Caribbean Classic. He was successful but transportation was proving tough.
"We've been monitoring air travel arrangements and last week, at the suggestion of the Puerto Ricans, we tried to get the flight taking Panamanian horses to pick up our horse after the Superstakes but they said they were getting into Puerto Rico last week."
The purse for the Caribbean Classic, run at the El Commandante race track, is US$300,000.
Jamaica's best ever performance in the 10-furlong event was fourth with SIR HOWARD in Venezuela in 1983.
Meanwhile, the ever-confident Duany, who named MIRACLE MAN after his miraculous recovery from a heart attack, said he has the horse to give Jamaica its first win in the event.
"They know they have the horse to go," he said. "This horse, once it goes, we know it'll win. This is no ordinary horse.
"When he wins, he doesn't blow (hard) so he can go much faster and harder," he added. "He came out of the race good and will be on the track tomorrow."
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