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Guaveberry Star Fails in Triple-Crown Bid

Dec. 27, 2006 — Guavaberry Star trainer Delroy Thomas came to the Randall Doc James racetrack on Tuesday for the annual Christmas races, looking for a memorable day in the eighth race with his sensational three-year-old filly.
Her connections were hoping to claim the first native-bred Triple Crown in over a decade, having already won the first two legs in relatively easy fashion.
But it was not to be as the race instead went to an old warrior, All Eyes on Me — the Steve Brow-trained, former native champ, who was running his final race before retiring to a life of stud service.
With apprentice jockey Oyola in the irons, All Eyes on Me closed with a rush in the home stretch to overtake a fast-tiring Fantastic Four to win the $6,000, 1/1-8 mile Hovensa Cup by three lengths in a time of 2:01.2.
I just told the jockey to keep him in the race, do not harass him to run with the front-runners, said Brow. I knew the longer the race the better for us, and from this morning I knew there was something different about him. His eyes were bright and alert, and he was on his toes — something I did not see in his last couple of races. I knew he was going to have a good day.
The race started as expected, with the overwhelming favorite Guavaberry Star, with regular rider Miguel Sanchez, fastest out of the gates. This time, however, unlike the first two legs of the Triple Crown races, she had company on the front end, as another speedster, Fantastic Four, was in the race and was right there with her as they passed the grandstand for the first time.
Around the clubhouse turn, the pair quickly opened up a four-length lead on the rest of the field, which included Wild Wisdom, All Eyes on Me and Geepers Creepers. As the horses ran down the backstretch, the two front-runners, Guavaberry Star and Fantastic four, now in front by six lengths, were almost inseparable from the grandstand view. They were so close to one another that it appeared as if it was only one horse running.
To the dismay of the fans hoping to see a Triple Crown winner, Fantastic four began to gain the advantage over the filly as they made their way into the far turn. It was now apparent, that barring some catastrophic mishap, her Triple Crown quest was over. Fantastic Four, to the roar of his fans, continued to increase his lead over a fading Guavaberry Star around the far turn and was clear by three lengths by the time they turned for home at the top of the stretch.
Fantastic Four was in a very commanding position, but another roar soon went up as, from far back, All Eyes On Me was charging with a rush on the far outside. All Eyes was moving so well that it appeared as if the others were moving in slow motion. He first flew by a tiring Guavaberry Star, then quickly erased Fantastic Fours four-length lead, blowing by him on his way to a three-lengths win at the wire. As he crossed the wire, jockey Oyola stood up in his irons and gently patted his steeds neck as if to say, "job well done."
The rest of the days results:
Race 1 Class F(1) 7 1/2 F Jockey $3,800
Time: 1:36.4
1st Tobaco Y Ron Alphonso Claudio
2nd Another Wanda Elmo Barnes
3rd Shysie Jesus Guadelupe
Race 2 Class F(2) 7 1/2 F Jockey $3,736
Time: 1:42.3
1st Fightforyourrights Miguel Sanchez
2nd Shot In The Morn Kevin Krigger
3rd Queen Mary Kerwin John
Race 3 Class E 1/ 1-16 mile Jockey $4,000
Time: 1:50.3
1st Prayerful John Bisono
2nd Tulsa Boy Junior Inirio
3rd Prospector Fever Kerwin John
Race 4 Open Mares & Fillies Jockey $4,200
1 1/16 Miles Time: 1:51.1
1st Eloquent Dawn Miguel Sanchez
2nd Trick Hunter Jesus Guadelupe
3rd Scats Mine Kerwin John
Race 5 Classes D&E 7.5 F Jockey $4200
Time: 1:34.3
1st Rubianos Jewel Elmo Barnes
2nd Guiltless Miguel Sanchez
3rd Top Ranking Juan Oyola
Race 6 Classes C&D 1 mile Jockey $4,400
Time: 1:42.2
1st Bey Ivan (STT) John Bisono
2nd All the King Gems Miguel Sanchez
3rd Straw Boss Junior Inirio

Race7 Classes B&C 1 Mile Jockey $4500
Time: 1:42
1st Broken Fuse Kevin Krigger
2nd El Chuso Kerwin John
3rd Preceptor Steve Capanes
Race10 Class H 4 F Jockey $2500
Time: 51.1
1st Secret Weapon Elmo Barnes
2nd Elegant Eve Miguel Sanchez
3rd Deh Boogie Man Marlon Edwin
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