By Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer 
Distinctly Irish with Winstonn Griffiths aboard crosses the finish line to win the Red Stripe Superstakes at Caymanas Park yesterday. - Carlington Wilmot/Freelance Photographer
THE CLASSY three-year-old gelding DISTINCTLY IRISH solidified his claim for 'Horse of the Year' honours at Caymanas Park yesterday with a decisive victory over stable-companions SATISFIER and I'MSATISFIED in the 26th running of the Red Stripe Supertstakes over 2000 metres.
Installed a 1-2 favourite with leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths riding for 13-time champion trainer Philip Feanny and TOBA president Howard Hamil-ton (Hamark Farms), DISTINCTLY IRISH stayed on strongly from below the distance to win by two lengths from 99-1 outsider SATISFIER (Paul Ramnsay up), who ran the race of his life to finish a clear second in a field of 10 native bred three-year-olds and up. He was 3-1/4 lengths ahead of 9-5 second favourite I'MSATISFIED with four-time champion jockey Charles Hussey up.
Both the runner-up and third place horses are trained by Feanny (who saddled five runners) for popular owner Joseph 'Fudgie' Duany.
NOT WITHOUT INCIDENT
The race was not without incident as both the Feanny trained 3-y-o colt STEROFABULOUS, who was quietly fancied at 6-1 under champion jockey Trevor Simpson and fellow three-year-old GOOD TO GO, ridden by former champion Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry for trainer Kevin Mattis, did not finish - both having dislodged their riders early in the straight.
Reports indicate that Simpson, though badly skaken up, escaped injury. Henry, however, fractured his right forearm and ankle. As a result of the spill, there was a Stewards' Inquiry. In the end, the result was allowed to stand.
It was the fleet-footed three-year-old gelding CHOSEN ONE under visiting American jockey Deshawn Parker who led passing the stands for the first time, ahead of DISTINCTLY IRISH and I'MSATISFIED, followed by HERECOMESFUDGIE and SATISFIER.
OVERTAKEN
As they turned into the backstretch, CHOSEN ONE showed by two lengths from I'MSATISFIED gone second just ahead of DISTINCTLY IRISH. However, by the time they galloped towards the half-mile, CHOSEN ONE was overtaken by both I'MSATISFIED and DISTINCTLY IRISH, with I'MSATISFIED getting first run.
Both galloped towards the final bend in a keen tussle before DISTINCTLY IRISH on the outside gained the ascendancy to turn for home marginally ahead. But the race was by no means over, as I'MSATISFIED attempted a rally approaching the distance before he was crossed by DISTINCTLY IRISH running down off a true line, and SATISFIER began to loom dangerously on the rails leaving the furlong pole.
FOUND EXTRA
However, DISTINCTLY IRISH was not to be denied, as he found extra in the closing stages to record his fifth win from six starts this season. With these including the Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas, the Red Stripe Derby and Governor General's Stakes, the 'Horse of the Year' award looks a mere formality, especially with the two other top contenders I'MSATISFIED and A KING IS BORN losing yesterday.
The prospect of winning back-to-back 'Horse of the Year' awards appealed to Hamilton.
"I would love that", declared the elated owner.
Despite the shock defeat of reigning 'Horse of the Year' A KING IS BORN who finished third to 5-2 JACK DE PRINCE (Simpson up) in the Red Stripe Caribbean Sprint, Hamilton said he is happy.
"I would love to have won both races but the defeat of A KING IS BORN is just part and parcel of the glorious uncertainty of racing. I won my first Superstakes and in a year when I also won the Derby, am truly blessed," said Hamilton who was accompanied by his daughter, Tracey.
Feanny, who all but dethroned Wayne DaCosta as champion trainer, confirmed that A KING IS BORN finished lame in the sprint.
"The time of the race was 1:12.3. That was a walk... he ran right off the track," he contended.
TRAINER, RIDER HAPPY
Both Feanny and Griffiths were happy with their Superstakes win. Feanny, who was posting his seventh Superstakes winner, was notching his first since the filly VESTIA in 1993. And Griffiths has now ridden six winners this, however, being his first since Feanny's THE VICEROY in 1990.
Elsewhere on the programme, the DaCosta-trained JACK DE PRINCE (5-2) overcame a slow start and fairly flew up the straight to beat COURT CASE and long-time leader A KING IS BORN (drifted out in the straight) in the Red Stripe Sprint; the Feanny-trained CAPTAIN BONE (5-2), ridden by Henry, getting up in the nick of time to catch tearaway leader LIL' COUNTRY BOY in the Red Stripe Mile for imported horses; and the brilliant two-year-old colt COLTRANE (3-5 favourite) upstaging his previously unbeaten stable-companion KAMIR in the Red Stripe 2-Y-O Breeders' Stakes over 1400 metres.
COLTRANE, who made it five out of six, was ridden by former champion Shane Ellis for owner/trainer Richard Azan.
