Mrs Gay Smith and Ken Ramsey each entered two horses in the 41st Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.
Esteemed owners Mrs Gay Smith and Ken Ramsey are set to make their mark in the upcoming 41st Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup on March 2, with both entering two horses into the prestigious event.
One of the anticipated contenders for the 41st Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup (G1-Bar) is the well-regarded Jerry The Nipper (Liam’s Map), who is expected to garner strong support at the Garrison Savannah. This New York-bred gelding, boasting earnings exceeding $544,000, was recently acquired by Gay Smith specifically for the Gold Cup from Repole Stable.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, the seven-year-old Jerry The Nipper has shown promise in various stakes races, clinching victories in six out of 21 starts. Notably, he secured a commendable third place in the Grade 3 Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park last December and competed in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf, finishing ninth behind the victorious Warm Heart.
Drawing the post position nine in a competitive field of nine horses for the Gold Cup, Jerry The Nipper is poised to be ridden by champion jockey Patrick Husbands, a Barbados and Ontario native with a notable record of Gold Cup victories.
Adding to the excitement, Gay Smith, a three-time Gold Cup champion herself, has also acquired Portfolio Company (Kitten’s Joy) from Klaravich Stable. This six-year-old gelding, bred by Ken Ramsey and the late Sarah Ramsey, has achieved stakes placements on four occasions and amassed earnings exceeding $359,000. Trained by Chad Brown, Portfolio Company recently finished fifth in a handicap at Gulfstream on the Tapeta surface.
Meanwhile, Ken Ramsey, a three-time Gold Cup victor, has entered a formidable lineup for the event, including the grey horse Cash Equity (Fr) (Toronado) under the guidance of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Cash Equity demonstrated a strong closing performance in a recent Tapeta handicap, finishing third. Ramsey and Joseph are also fielding SPY NOVEL (Boisterous), who impressed with a solid second-place finish in a 1 3/8 mile turf allowance race at Gulfstream after a brief layoff.
Additionally, the Coolmore Stakes (G1-Bar) winner Pat'ssewingmachine, bred by the Ramseys, is set to compete for the Fun in the Sun Racing syndicate, led by Darwin Clarke of Washington state. Trained by Ted Holder, this contender by We Miss Artie will be making a significant appearance after being brought down from Woodbine.
The field for the Gold Cup is further enriched by Sir David Seale, an eight-time Gold Cup champion, who will be represented by his seasoned handicap horse Renaisance Frolic and the speedy Brilliant News, also entered in the Spa Sprint on Gold Cup day. Completing the lineup are the consistent So Suave (Ire), a standout performer since arriving from Woodbine, and Bodie Tap, ensuring a thrilling and competitive event on the turf.