Former Horse of the Year Further and Beyond returns to competitive racing for the first time in 343 days today in the $1.14-million Alsafra Trophy, the major event on Caymanas Park’s 10-race card.

Further and Beyond, a five-year-old chestnut horse, also returns under new management, with Donovan Hutchinson taking orders after previously being trained by former three-time champion conditioner Anthony “Baba” Nunes.

Bred by Blue Pepsi Lodge-Rumble, Further and Beyond last competed on July 2, 2022, coming third behind Mahogany and Calculus in a seven-and-a-half furlong (1,500m) event before undergoing arthroscopy to remove chip bones from his knees later that season.

One would think that Further and Beyond would need a run or two to regain his fitness, but this chestnut horse doesn’t need any pipe openers to put these away. Further and Beyond should comfortably win this without Mahogany or Calculus in the line-up.

If he loses this race, there must be something seriously wrong with Further and Beyond. Stomp the Rhythm and Perfect Brew should be the primary contenders for the exacta position, with the pair of Marquesas and Positive ID from Michael Marlowe’s stable also expected to put in a strong showing.

The Alsafra Trophy, an Overnight Allowance event for three-year-olds and higher going one mile (1,600m), is positioned as the 10th and final event on the card, with a post time of 5:15 pm. First race is at 11:45 am.

Stomp The Rhythm finished second behind Miniature Man over nine furlongs (1,800m) for the first time at this level on May 13. Stomp The Rhythm, trained by Vicent Atkinson, could put up another strong performance today.

Perfect Brew, trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Azan, finished nine lengths behind the reigning Horse of the Year Atomica over seven furlongs (1,400m) on May 23. Perfect Brew should also make another gutsy bid here.

Marquesas had finished a good third behind Miniature Man and Stomp The Rhythm on May 13. Marquesas‘s prospect of winning here is limited by the presence of second-place finisher Stomp The Rhythm, but the former Jamaica St Leger winner could spring the surprise here.

Positive ID came home in fourth position by 7 ½ lengths behind I Am Fred, Calculus, and Mahogany in The Viceroy Trophy on April 22. With that encouraging run, Positive ID is expected to go home with a piece of the pie.

Ones to watch

Race 1) Mine That Cat/Another Bullet/Zabratone

Race 2) Wilson/XY Soul/Colawill

Race 3) Ricky Ricardo/Sunshine Cat/ Golden Emperor

Race 4) Magic Bullet/Lion Talk/ Absolute Blue

Race 5) Jaguar/Talona/A Gift From Ben

Race 6) Noblar/Richie Rich/ Phenomenal One

Race 7) Kwaku/Fault Line/Zion

Race 8) Nefertari/Rainsville/Our Angel

Race 9) Running Glory/Money Market/Big Guy In TheSky

Race 10) Further and Beyond/Stomp The Rhythm/Perfect Brew