Jamaican-bred General JN takes Trini Guineas
The John Leotaud- trained three-year-old colt General JN (Forest Danger – Sea Treaty) on Easter Monday won the first leg of Trinidad’s Triple Crown, the Grade One-Win 8 Guineas over 1,800 metres by and impressive 13 lengths from the Glenn Mendez-trained Streaking Far with Prince of Bellevue and Dancin Deputy filling the minor positions.
General JN was bred in Jamaica at Everglades Farm Limited and is the third progeny of the dam Sea Treaty to win a Classic race in the twin-island republic over the last five years. In 2014, Momentum ( Western Classic – Sea Treaty by Law Of The Sea) won the Triple Crown series of races. In Trinidad the Triple Crown consists of the Guineas (1,800m), the Midsummer Classic (1,900m) and the Derby (2,000) metres.
In 2016, Academy Award ( Performing Magic – Sea Treaty) won two legs of the Trini Triple Crown, the Guineas and the Derby. Momentum was trained by Trinidadian John O’Brien, while Academy Award raced for trainer Anthony Nunes. In Jamaica Sea Treaty produced among others, Derby winner Technomoto, a full brother to Momentum who was also trained by Nunes.
In front of a large holiday crowd, General JN was put straight in front by Kerron Khelawan and he made all the running to come out a ready winner of the TT$90,000 firstprize cheque.
Sent off as the 7/5 favourite, General JN still held sway by a half a length going down the backstretch from Streaking Far and the rest.
However, at the far turn, the complexion of the race changed as General JN upped the ante and opened up a one-length lead on Dancin Deputy.
At the corner a loud roar was heard as Khelawan sent General JN for home and the colt opened up five lengths on Streaking Far and Prince of Bellevue.
Inside the final 200 metres, General JN proved that he was not for catching as he galloped all the way to the line.