Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Another One set to romp home in feature race

    Another One set to romp home in feature race

    The highly anticipated StarGas United Racehorse Trainers’ Association of Jamaica (URTAJ) Trophy, boasting a prize pool of $1.25 million, is set to headline the racing action at Caymanas Park tomorrow. A competitive field of 13 runners will vie for victory in the Restricted Overnight Allowance contest, open to three-year-olds and older, over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,200 meters). Here’s an in-depth look at the contenders and their prospects:

    1. **KWAKU**: With no notable form, this seven-year-old bay horse is considered a long shot.
    2. **SUPER ALEX**: Despite recent consistency, this five-year-old chestnut horse is expected to struggle in this competitive field.
    3. **ZULU WARRIOR**: Narrowly defeated in his last outing, this four-year-old chestnut colt could improve against tougher rivals.
    4. **ALLEGIANCE**: Known for his strong finishing ability, this four-year-old chestnut colt might spring a surprise despite needing more distance.
    5. **PROVIDENT**: Likely to fall behind, making him a horse to avoid.
    6. **I DREAM AGAIN**: The Jamaica Derby winner has yet to shine at this level but could still place.
    7. **CALIFORNIA GOLD**: With no winning prospects, this five-year-old bay horse is best bypassed.
    8. **HUNTSMAN**: Expected to perform well but unlikely to win.
    9. **COMEHOMETOME**: Despite underwhelming performances, this four-year-old bay filly has the class to make a bold bid.
    10. **ANOTHER ONE**: The standout contender, this three-year-old bay colt is tipped to dominate the race.
    11. **OIL MACHINE**: Lacks the form to make an impact.
    12. **KING’S CROWN**: Best avoided due to poor recent performances.
    13. **COOKIE DAY N NIGHT**: Likely to struggle against this field.

    The race promises thrilling competition, with **Another One** emerging as the clear favorite to claim the prestigious trophy.

  • Jamaica Cup showdown: Funcaandun favours to win

    Jamaica Cup showdown: Funcaandun favours to win

    The Jamaica Cup, a prestigious Graded Stakes race for three-year-olds and above, is poised to deliver an electrifying spectacle this Sunday, November 16, 2025. Held over 9 ½ furlongs (1,900m), the event promises to be a thrilling contest with a $6-million purse up for grabs. Adding to the excitement, the winner secures automatic entry into the highly anticipated Mouttet Mile on December 6, raising the stakes even higher.

  • Claiming system vs handicap system: Which is better for Jamaica’s horse racing?

    Claiming system vs handicap system: Which is better for Jamaica’s horse racing?

    The horse racing industry has long relied on classification systems to ensure fair competition and drive profitable wagering. However, the claiming system, a method that categorizes horses into over 20 artificial groups based on factors like age, sex, and earnings rather than genetic ability, has proven to be a significant failure. Unlike the handicap system, which assigns weights to horses based on past performances to equalize their chances, the claiming system lacks the ability to balance form and ability effectively. This has led to a decline in competitive wagering, as superior horses often dominate races, leaving little room for unpredictability.

  • Nunes’ strong hand: Fearless Force and Linguist lead pack in St Elizabeth Distaff

    Nunes’ strong hand: Fearless Force and Linguist lead pack in St Elizabeth Distaff

    Trainer Anthony ‘Baba’ Nunes is emerging as a formidable force in the upcoming $1.5-million St Elizabeth Distaff, scheduled for Sunday. With his top two runners, Fearless Force and Linguist, Nunes has a strong chance to clinch the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-old fillies and mares over one mile (1,600m). Here’s an analysis of the runners and their prospects:

    1. **Pretty Perfect**: The Winston ‘Fanna’ Griffiths Classic winner faces a daunting challenge against a highly competitive field, making her likely to be outclassed.

    2. **Burning Hedge**: This year’s 1000 Guineas champion has shown remarkable consistency but will face stiff competition from Fearless Force and stablemate Linguist.

    3. **Sistren Treasure (USA)**: Struggling in recent performances, this filly is unlikely to make a significant impact in this race.

    4. **Immeasurable Joy**: Given the strength of the competition, this contender has little chance of securing a win.

    5. **Main Mistress (USA)**: A recent winner on October 25, she is expected to perform well but is unlikely to take the top spot.

    6. **Fearless Force (USA)**: Unbeatable on paper, Fearless Force has trained exceptionally well and is stepping down in class, making her the top contender to lead the pack and claim the trophy.

    7. **Linguist**: The Jamaica Oaks winner has excelled in her two starts at this level and could challenge Fearless Force for top honors, positioning her as a strong contender for an upset.

    — Ruddy Allen

  • ISSA sets netball deadline for resumption

    ISSA sets netball deadline for resumption

    Schools in Jamaica have until 2:00 PM on Friday to confirm their participation in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Rural Area schoolgirls’ netball competition, which was disrupted by Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane, which struck on October 28, led to the suspension of various sports, including netball, football, and basketball. Despite efforts to restart the netball competition, 38 out of 57 participating schools had not confirmed their willingness to resume by Thursday afternoon. ISSA, the governing body for high school sports, issued a memo on Thursday listing schools from at least seven parishes that had yet to respond. Notably, most of the unresponsive schools are from western Jamaica, an area severely impacted by the hurricane. In contrast, the schoolboys’ football competitions, the daCosta Cup and Manning Cup, are set to resume later this month after consultations with stakeholders. These football competitions, which began in early September, had progressed to the round of 16, with participating schools expressing readiness to continue. The netball competition, divided into under-16 and under-19 age groups, faces uncertainty as schools from parishes such as St James, Hanover, Trelawny, St Elizabeth, Manchester, St Ann, St Mary, St Catherine, and Portland remain undecided.

  • Foster returns home, set for busy weekend at Caymanas Park

    Foster returns home, set for busy weekend at Caymanas Park

    Jamaican jockey Tevin Foster is making a triumphant return to his home turf, igniting excitement among racing enthusiasts. After a stellar debut season in Canada, where he secured 14 wins, 23 second-place finishes, and 29 third-place finishes from 173 mounts, amassing earnings of CAN$252,194, Foster is poised to dominate the tracks this weekend with 10 scheduled rides. His packed agenda begins on Saturday, where he’ll partner with Cassini for trainer Adrian Prince in the opening race, followed by Dancing Aviator for Jason DaCosta in the third. The action continues with Green Gold Rush for Ryan Darby in the sixth, J Spieth for DaCosta in the eighth, and concludes with Provident for DaCosta in the final event. Sunday’s lineup is equally thrilling, with Foster aboard Princess Fiannie for Omar Williams in the first race, Money Monster for Adrian Prince in the fourth, and the highly anticipated St Elizabeth Distaff, where he’ll ride Fearless Force for Anthony Nunes. The Port Royal Sprint will see him team up with Is That A Fact for DaCosta, and he’ll wrap up the weekend with Girvano for DaCosta in the Jamaica Cup. Foster’s return is particularly poignant as Jamaica continues to recover from the devastation wrought by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28. All eyes will be on Foster as he aims to deliver a stellar performance on home soil.

  • Hope calls for urgent fix of Windies’ powerplay failures: It’s been our Achilles heel

    Hope calls for urgent fix of Windies’ powerplay failures: It’s been our Achilles heel

    The West Indies’ T20 International series against New Zealand concluded on a disappointing note on November 13, 2025, as the visitors delivered their most lackluster performance in the decisive fifth match. Suffering an eight-wicket defeat, the Caribbean side handed the series victory to the Black Caps without much resistance. This loss underscored the persistent issues that have haunted the West Indies throughout the competition, particularly their top-order batting collapse, which proved fatal in the final game. Captain Shai Hope identified the team’s inability to adapt as the primary reason for their downfall. ‘The power play has been our Achilles heel for this series,’ Hope remarked. ‘As batters, we failed to assess and adapt as quickly as needed.’ Despite the criticism, Hope praised the lower-order batsmen for their resilience, acknowledging their efforts to salvage difficult situations. He emphasized the need for smarter, more assertive batting to disrupt the opposition’s bowlers. ‘We need to be more precise with our stroke play and not allow good bowlers to settle,’ he explained. Hope also highlighted the growing consistency of all-rounder Romario Shepherd, whose crucial contributions with the ball were instrumental in the team’s solitary series win. As the West Indies shift their focus to the upcoming ODI series, Hope stressed that immediate improvements are essential to turn their fortunes around.

  • U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent

    U13 quarterfinals showcase budding cricket talent

    The Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Laborie Credit Union Under-13 Grassroots Tournament witnessed a thrilling weekend of cricket, with Kaiden Charlery emerging as the standout performer. His impressive half-century propelled Sulphur City into the semifinals after a dominant 37-run victory over South Castries in the quarterfinals held on November 9 at Desruisseaux. Batting first, Sulphur City posted a total of 119 runs, with Charlery contributing a commanding 62. South Castries struggled in response, managing only 82 runs, despite efforts from Kaylan St Juste and Alaska James, who claimed three wickets. Meanwhile, Desruisseaux secured their semifinal spot by defeating Mon Repos, chasing down a target of 124 with five wickets to spare. Dennery also advanced, crushing Micoud by 78 runs, thanks to captain Kaiden Emile’s stellar bowling performance of 5-8. In another match, Babonneau triumphed over South Castries by four wickets, with Vincy Cadasse leading the charge. Despite their elimination, South Castries’ Ariana Dujon praised her team’s spirit, emphasizing the joy of the game. The tournament continues on November 15, with Babonneau facing Choiseul and Laborie taking on Dennery in the next round of quarterfinals.

  • Saint Lucia downed by Cuba in Concacaf curtain-raiser

    Saint Lucia downed by Cuba in Concacaf curtain-raiser

    The Saint Lucia national men’s football team faced a challenging start to the Concacaf Friendly Series on Wednesday, November 12, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Cuba. The match, held at Cibao Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, marked a tough beginning for the Caribbean squad in Group A. Despite missing key players, head coach Stern John entrusted Canada-based forward Caniggia Elva with the captain’s armband. The team’s lineup included Donavan Jn Baptiste, Trent Alexander, and Ridel Stanislas in attack, with Bayan Aman and Hamaiel Charlery controlling the midfield. The defense was anchored by Kurt Frederick, Melvin Doxilly, Joshua Sololon-Davies, and Ajani Louis, while Vino Barclett guarded the goal. The game remained balanced in the early stages, but Cuba’s Romario Torres broke the deadlock in the 38th minute, scoring his first goal for the senior national team. Yasnier Matos extended the lead just before halftime, and Dairon Reyes sealed the victory in the 53rd minute. This match also marked the debut of Cuban coach Pedro Pablo Pereira. Cuba, historically the first Caribbean team to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 1938, narrowly missed advancing to the final round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Saint Lucia, ranked 164th in the FIFA World Rankings, finished third in Group C of the Second Round of Concacaf Qualifiers. The team will next face St Vincent & the Grenadines on November 15. The Concacaf Friendly Series, featuring 16 nations, commenced during the November FIFA international match window, with games hosted across the Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, and the Cayman Islands.

  • West Indies fall well short in final T20I, New Zealand take series 3-1

    West Indies fall well short in final T20I, New Zealand take series 3-1

    New Zealand clinched a decisive eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the final T20 international on November 12, securing a series win in front of a lively crowd at the University Oval in Dunedin. Unlike the closely contested earlier matches in the five-game series, this encounter was one-sided, marking an anticlimactic conclusion to what had been a fiercely competitive battle between the two teams. The West Indies, needing a win to level the series after a rain-affected fourth game, struggled from the outset. They lost four wickets during the powerplay and were reeling at 48-5 before Roston Chase and Jason Holder staged a brief recovery with a 42-run partnership. However, their efforts were insufficient as the team was eventually bowled out for 140, thanks to a late flourish from Romario Shepherd, who scored 36 off 22 balls. Jacob Duffy was the standout bowler for New Zealand, claiming 4-35. In response, the Black Caps chased down the target with ease, powered by Devon Conway’s 47 and Tim Robinson’s 45, sealing the win in just 16 overs. West Indies captain Shai Hope acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, particularly in the powerplay, but praised the lower-order resilience. He emphasized the need for better mental preparation ahead of the upcoming One Day International series, which begins on Saturday.