Horse racing return set

Horse racing is set for a return to the Cassada Gardens Race Track at the end of the month following a lengthy hiatus.
This was confirmed by the public relations officer for the Antigua Turf Club (ATC), Ajahni Sheppard, who identified December 30th as the date for the sport’s return.
Racing had been delayed for over two months owing to recent showers and scheduling hiccups.
The race meet, he said, will focus on locally bred horses.
“It’s all about the local horses since we have the Fresh Milk Breeders Cup that was scheduled to run in November for Independence, but because of the rain, we had to postpone so we are going forward as scheduled for December so all the races that were supposed to be held in November we are putting now to the 30th. We will be featuring the local horses and the Fresh Milk Breeders Cup will be going over seven furlongs,” he said.
Persistent rains back in late October to early November had forced the postponement of at least two scheduled meets.
The break, Sheppard said, has not dampened the fraternity’s spirit and hints there will be a 100 percent turnout of the country’s top horses for the pending meet.
“The A Class race, it being a marquee race, is probably one of the best we have had. We should see the Baba-Baba, King Pin, Advanced Credit, He’s Sensational, probably First Lady and some other horses but it’s a very competitive field going over one mile, which is eight furlongs,” the PRO said.
The feature race will carry a purse of $7,500 with the winner set to take home $4,000. Gates will open at 12:30 p.m. with the first race set to start at 2 p.m.