PHOTOGRAPH BY EDDIE BELLE

 

ZOUK (Juan Crawford) ON HER WAY TO WIN THE 69TH RUNNING

OF THE UNITED INSURANCE BARBADOS DERBY (GR.1R. - BAR)

BY 4½  LENGTHS AND GIVE HER JOCKEY; GROOM; TRAINER

AND OWNERS A WELL DESERVED TRIPLE CROWN VICTORY

AND BE THE FIRST HORSE TO CLAIM THE $100,000.00

BONUS SINCE ITS INCEPTION

 

 

ZOUK WINS TRIPLE CROWN
 
BY CHARLIE HEATH
 
 
History was created at the Garrison Savannah on Saturday August 8, 2006, 
when the Richard Edwards owned, Naz Issa trained 3-year-old bay filly ZOUK
with jockey Juan Crawford in the saddle won the 69th running of United
Insurance Barbados Derby (GR.1R. - BAR) earning $160,880 for the win.
 
In April ZOUK won the first jewel in the crown, the Banks Barbados Guineas
(GR.1R. - BAR)  run over 1570 metres (7.8 furlongs) and on July 8 she won the
3second jewel the Pinnacle Feeds Midsummer Creole Classic (GR.1R. - BAR)
run over 1800 metres (9 furlongs). 
 
On Saturday August 12, 2006 the Fifth Day of the Barbados Turf Club's Second
Racing Season  for 2006 she captured the final  jewel.
 
She is the first horse to win the Barbados Triple Crown since a bonus of $100,000
was offered to the owner of a horse winning all three jewels. 
 
ZOUK'S earnings of $160,880 for the win is the most any horse has ever earned in
the history of racing in Barbados. 
 
As the horses left the gates for the 2000 metres (10 furlongs) event MAKARIOS
with apprentice Chris Husbands broke smartly closely followed by FIRST EDITION
and ZOUK.
 
Passing the stands for the first time Crawford astride ZOUK was content to let
MAKARIOS continue in the lead and sat one length behind in second position
with the Robert Peirce trained FIRST EDITION settled in third and BACHELOR
BOY with Jamar Maughn in the saddle on the William Clarke trained colt in fourth.
 
At the five furlong marker ZOUK started to press MAKARIOS for the lead as the
Lord Michael Taylor-Clifton Racing stables owned BACHELOR BOY eased up
into third position with FIRST EDITION fourth.
 
Approaching the three furlong marker ZOUK and BACHELOR BOY passed a
tired MAKARIOS whilst the Gay Smith owned FIRST EDITION with Jason
Leacock moved into third.
 
With two furlongs to go Crawford gave ZOUK her head and from there it was
all over as she opened a five length lead and ran out a very easy winner from 
BACHELOR BOY who ran the race of his life to be second. FIRST EDITION
finished third and BORDER SECRET was fourth.
 
Jockeys Juan Crawford, Jason leacock and Rico Walcott  each won two races
whilst trainer Robert Peirce saddled three winners and Elizabeth 'Liz' Deane
saddled two winners.
 
Edward Walcott Jr. saddled his first winner in an open race when SUPER
TARASON won the second race. This young trainer is sure to win many
more races in the future.
 
Owner Gay Smith  had a great day with her horses winning three races.
 
Racing continues on Saturday August 26, 2006 with the feature being the
Barbados Thouroughbred Breeders Association 21st Anniversary
Sprint Trophy for Barbados bred 3-year-olds and over at 1100 metres (  furlongs)