Racing enthusiasts are in for a treat as Santa Rosa Park in Arima gears up for an action-packed six-race card on October 25. The highlight of the day will be the penultimate race, a 1,100-meter turf event featuring a competitive field of five runners. Among the contenders, Sneaky Cheeky, ridden by Barbados’ leading apprentice jockey Raheem Thorpe, is tipped as the pre-race favorite. Thorpe, who has been brought in by trainer Ramesh Ramroop, will also ride Dreamcatcher, Uncle Rog, and Free Pass across the day’s events. The race card also includes the first two-year-old race of the 2025 season, with Dream Maker and Sweet Bird, trained by John O’Brien, set to compete. Post time for the races is scheduled for 12:45 pm, promising an exciting day for punters and racing fans alike.
分类： sports
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Is That A Fact set for Bruceontheloose Sprint
Renowned trainer Jason DaCosta has set his sights on the upcoming Bruceontheloose Sprint, scheduled for Mouttet Mile race day in December, with his exceptional five-year-old American-bred bay horse, Is That A Fact. This announcement follows Is That A Fact’s impressive triumph in the $1.25-million Errol “Big Sub” Subratie Memorial Cup on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The race, an Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over one mile (1,600m), saw Is That A Fact dominate the field, defeating runner-up Run Julie Run, ridden by Dane Dawkins, by a length and three-quarters. The victory was marked by a commanding performance, with Is That A Fact completing the event in 1:39.1 (24.0 x 46.4 x 1:12.0 x 1:25.2). DaCosta praised the jockey, Shaheem Gordon, for executing a flawless ride and adhering to the race strategy. “It was a perfect ride by the jockey, and he followed instructions well,” DaCosta remarked. He also expressed confidence in Is That A Fact’s form, stating, “I think he is peaking at the right time, and he was working exceptionally well coming into this race.” Despite initial concerns about Run Julie Run’s challenge, DaCosta remains focused on the upcoming Sprint on Mouttet Mile race day. Gordon, who held Is That A Fact off in the early stages, timed the surge perfectly, propelling the horse to the front in the deep stretch and fending off Run Julie Run’s challenge to secure the win. “The trainer gave me an instruction, I know it was a winning ride and so I stuck to the plan and we won,” Gordon said. Linguist trailed behind in third place. DaCosta’s strategic planning and Gordon’s expert execution have positioned Is That A Fact as a strong contender for the upcoming Sprint.
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‘Rebuilding’ Trinidad and Tobago women select squad for friendly with ‘Reggae Girlz’
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has unveiled a 24-member squad for the upcoming friendly match against Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz on October 28 at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. This encounter serves as a vital preparatory step for the 2025/26 Concacaf Women’s Qualifiers, which kick off next month. Trinidad and Tobago, placed in Group F alongside Barbados, El Salvador, and Honduras, will begin their qualifying campaign against Barbados on November 30. The squad, announced on October 24, features a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talents, including overseas-based players Kedie Johnson and Maria-Frances Serrant. Notable inclusions are forward Kennya Cordner, defenders Karyn Forbes and Victoria Swift, and the dynamic Naomie Guerra. The team also boasts emerging stars like Kaitlyn Darwent and Nikita Gosine, alongside the attacking trio of Alexcia Ali, Afiyah Cornwall, and Aaliyah Prince. Goalkeeping duties will be contested by Nicolette Craig, Keri Myers, and Tenesha Palmer. The team’s preparation has been marred by challenges, including the sudden resignation of former head coach Angus Eve just three weeks after his September 30 appointment. His departure, confirmed by a TTFA official on October 21, has left the team under the interim guidance of coaches Damian Briggs and Densill Theobald. Briggs emphasized the team’s focus on rebuilding and fostering unity, stating, ‘We are in a rebuild stage with a blend of experienced and young players. Our immediate goal is the Jamaica friendly, after which we’ll reflect and improve for the qualifiers.’ The match against Jamaica, coached by Hubert Busby, will be a significant test for the TT women, who have recently played practice games against local youth teams, including a dominant 7-1 victory over St Mary’s College Under-14s. As the team gears up for the Concacaf qualifiers, questions remain about potential additional friendlies before their November 30 clash with Barbados. The qualifiers will culminate in the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Championship, which serves as a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
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‘Jamaica deserves it!’
Mount Pleasant Football Academy has taken a monumental step towards the Concacaf Caribbean Cup final after a resounding 5-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force FC in the first-leg semi-final. The match, held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, showcased the Jamaican Premier League champions’ dominance, with Raheem Edwards scoring twice and contributions from Warner Brown, Shaqueil Bradford, and Kimoni Bailey. Head Coach Theodore Whitmore emphasized the importance of meticulous preparation in securing the win, stating, ‘We eliminated their game plan and ours worked.’ Despite the commanding performance, Whitmore expressed disappointment at conceding a goal, ending their streak of clean sheets. Mount Pleasant now stands on the brink of becoming only the second Jamaican team to reach the Caribbean Cup final, following in the footsteps of reigning champions Cavalier FC. Whitmore highlighted the significance of this achievement for Jamaican football, urging fans to rally behind the team. A spot in the final would also secure Mount Pleasant’s qualification for the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup, where they could face elite clubs from the United States, Mexico, Canada, and Central America. The second-leg match is set to take place at the National Stadium in Jamaica, where Mount Pleasant aims to seal their historic progression.
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Chaguanas North lose appeal, Presentation crowned SSFL central zone champs
Presentation College Chaguanas has officially been crowned the champions of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) championship division for the 2025 season. This victory was solidified after the league’s appeals committee upheld a prior decision to award the school all three points for a match against Chaguanas North Secondary that was abandoned on September 22. The disciplinary committee had initially ruled in favor of Presentation on October 13, granting them a 3-0 win due to Chaguanas North’s failure to adequately prepare the Edinburgh 500 Recreation Ground venue. Chaguanas North contested this decision, arguing that they had made every effort to meet the required standards before the scheduled kickoff. However, on October 22, the appeals committee, comprising Forbes Persaud, Rudolph Hope, and chairman Derek West, reviewed the case virtually and unanimously supported the disciplinary committee’s ruling. The final verdict was delivered on October 24, confirming Presentation’s victory. Chaguanas North officials had claimed that the referee overstepped his authority in abandoning the game and cited a precedent from the previous season where a match involving Presentation was rescheduled due to field issues. Nonetheless, the appeals committee emphasized the referee’s ultimate authority under Law 1 of the game, which governs the field of play. Following this decision, Presentation went on to defeat Chaguanas North 3-1 in their reverse fixture on October 14, finishing the central zone with 27 points from ten games. Chaguanas North secured second place with 22 points. With the matter resolved, Presentation now sets its sights on the First Citizens Boys’ ‘Big 5’ campaign, aiming for promotion to the premier division. They will begin their campaign on November 1 against Speyside Secondary, the Tobago championship division winners. Hillview College (east) and Mucurapo West Secondary (north) have also secured their spots in the Big 5, with the top three teams earning promotion for the 2026 premier division season.
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Perreira calls for early preparation ahead of WI tour to New Zealand
The West Indies cricket team is gearing up for a challenging Test series against New Zealand next month, following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to India. With little time to regroup, the Men in Maroon are under pressure to deliver a strong performance. Legendary commentator Joseph Reds Perreira has emphasized the critical need for thorough preparation to adapt to New Zealand’s unique playing conditions. Perreira, a seasoned observer of West Indies cricket, expressed concerns about the lack of information regarding the Test squad’s current training regimen. He stressed the importance of acclimatizing players to New Zealand’s green pitches and swinging balls, suggesting that a contingent of players should be sent ahead for at least a week of practice. Perreira also highlighted the need for immediate planning to avoid the short preparation time that hampered the team’s performance in India. Regarding the squad composition, he advocated for the inclusion of Jason Holder and Jomel Warrican, despite the latter’s limited success as a spinner in New Zealand. Additionally, Perreira raised concerns about the fitness and availability of key fast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzzari Joseph, whose participation remains uncertain. As the West Indies prepare for this crucial series, the focus is on strategic planning and player readiness to overcome the formidable challenge posed by New Zealand.
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Odwin into final stage of LPGA qualifying
Emily Odwin, a trailblazing golfer from Barbados, continues to etch her name in the annals of her nation’s sporting history. Having already made waves as the first Barbadian to qualify for a major championship at the 2025 US Women’s Open, Odwin has now secured her spot in the final stage of the LPGA Q School. This prestigious pathway offers the opportunity to earn membership on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Epson Tour. Her journey through the qualifying rounds has been nothing short of remarkable. After a challenging opening round of plus-2 74 at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida, Odwin showcased her resilience with a stellar minus-3 69 on the second day. She maintained her momentum with a minus-1 71 in the penultimate round and concluded with a strong minus-2 70 on Sunday, finishing four below par at 284 over 72 holes. This performance has earned her a place in the Final Qualifying Stage, set to begin on December 4 in Mobile, Alabama. Odwin’s golfing journey began at the age of 11, representing Barbados in regional and international events. In 2021, she became the first Caribbean golfer to qualify for both the USGA Girls Junior and the USGA Women’s Amateur Golf Championships. A student-athlete at Southern Methodist University, Odwin has a decorated history, including victories at the Royal Westmoreland Ladies Open, the Caribbean Amateur Junior Championships, and the HJGT Tournament of Champions in 2019. Out of the 196 players who began this qualifying journey, only the top 45, including Odwin, have advanced to the final stage. Notable players such as Maria Fassi, Jennifer Song, Sarah Kemp, and Latanna Stone missed the cut. With the deadline for declaring professional status set for November 14, Odwin’s focus remains on securing her LPGA tour card and continuing to inspire future generations of Barbadian golfers.
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SMS dominates Southern Zone Cross Country Championships
St Michael School showcased an exceptional all-round performance to emerge as the undisputed champion at the Southern Zone Cross Country Championships held on Tuesday at Princess Margaret Secondary School in Six Roads, St Philip. The event, part of the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championship (BSSAC), saw St Michael School dominate across multiple age categories, solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in school athletics.
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Hosein wants top order batsmen to come good in decisive ODI
West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein has emphasized the critical need for the team’s top-order batsmen to deliver in the third and decisive One Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh on Thursday. The regional side narrowly clinched victory in the second ODI on Tuesday, relying on a Super Over to secure a one-run win and level the three-match series at 1-1. However, the Windies’ batting collapses in both matches have raised concerns. In the first ODI, chasing 208, they crumbled from 79 for one to 133 all out, losing by 74 runs. Similarly, in the second ODI, they slumped from 82 for two to 133 for seven before a late resurgence led by Shai Hope’s unbeaten half-century, Justin Greaves’ 26, and Hosein’s 16 forced a Super Over. Hosein, who joined the squad as a replacement for the injured Jediah Blades, stressed that the team cannot continue to depend on the lower order for runs. He highlighted the challenges of facing skilled spinners with a worn ball and urged the top half to exhibit better batsmanship. Hosein acknowledged the team’s resilience in the Super Over but warned against complacency, emphasizing the importance of execution in the decisive match. He also praised the team’s spin-heavy strategy, noting that bowling 50 consecutive overs of spin against Bangladesh was a historic first for the West Indies in ODIs. Hosein expressed confidence in the team’s ability to learn from past mistakes and secure a series victory.
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Column: Natio Uma volledig getransformeerd
The Suriname women’s football team, known as Natio Uma, is gearing up for their World Cup qualifying matches, marking a significant step in their journey to potentially compete on the global stage for the first time. Historically, neither the men’s nor women’s teams from Suriname have qualified for the World Cup, but recent transformations within the women’s squad offer renewed hope. The Surinamese Football Association has invested heavily in professional coaching and recruited players who compete at elite clubs, elevating the team’s overall quality and positioning them as serious contenders for a spot in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. However, challenges remain due to Suriname’s low FIFA ranking and the Concacaf qualification system, which pairs the highest-ranked teams against the lowest-ranked ones, creating tough matchups. Suriname is placed in Group D alongside Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Anguilla. While the team’s strengthened lineup suggests potential to top the group, the coach’s ability to unify the squad will be critical. Their first match is scheduled for November 28, 2025, against Anguilla. Despite early introductions of new players to the public, concerns linger over the absence of key team members, including the goalkeeper, and the lack of a warm-up match for the players to connect with fans. Additionally, the team’s preparation has been complicated by training in Europe rather than the tropical conditions they will face in the region. The management is urged to ensure the team arrives early to acclimatize. While the squad includes many debutants, some players have prior experience representing Natio Uma, albeit without success. This time, the team is expected to benefit from a fully professional setup and lessons learned from past mistakes, with hopes that organizational improvements will allow the players to focus solely on their sporting goals. The ultimate aim is to make women’s football in Suriname a compelling spectacle for fans, though expectations must remain tempered for a team still in its developmental phase.