BLUE Vinyl, last season’s double Classic winner, returns to competitive racing today at Caymanas Park after a 133-day layoff, in what should be an afternoon walk for the four-year chestnut colt in the $1.25-million Kenneth Mattis OD Memorial Trophy feature.

Blue Vinyl last ran on May 20 in an Open Allowance event over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m), finishing fourth by more than 14 lengths to the outstanding foreigner Runaway Algo.

The MNM Racing Stable-owned Blue Vinyl drops down the ladder for this Overnight Allowance event, getting orders now from trainer Alford Brown, and appears likely to win his third race of the season.

Blue Vinyl, last year’s 2000 Guineas and St Leger hero, opened his 2023 racing season with two impressive wins. On April 15 Blue Vinyl won over six and a half furlongs (1,300m) by 3¾ lengths, in a time of 1:20.2, and then was a 10½-length winner over one mile (1,600m) on April 29.

Bred by Bern Identity out of the Haynesfield mare Blufield, Blue Vinyl has worked brilliantly coming into this race. He galloped six furlongs (1,200m) on Sunday, September 3 in 1:14.0, putting questions aside about his readiness.

Javaniel Patterson remains in the saddle aboard Blue Vinyl who will carry top weight of 57.0kgs (126 lb).

The struggle for second place is the most interesting phase of the race. Sunset Silhoutte, Positive ID, Stomp the Rhythm, and Get A Pepsi appear to be on similar footing and will have to compete hard to complete the exacta.

The three-year-old and upward contest over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) is positioned as the eighth event on the nine-race card with a post time of 4:25 pm. First race is at high noon.

Sunset Silhoutte has raced in the Overnight Allowance three times, finishing second twice and fourth once. Sunset Silhoutte, based on her two second-place finishes, must be regarded as a serious contender for that spot. Positive ID has recently been pretty unsatisfactory. He finished down the track in his most recent run over one mile (1,600m) on August 12. Positive ID enjoys two-turn races and, if he stays focused, can certainly challenge for second place.

Stomp The Rhythm triumphed against competitors over seven furlongs on August 27 after five runs at this level. Stomp The Rhythm won over this distance on April 23, and a repeat performance will see him fighting.

Get A Pepsi has only run at this level once so far, on August 12 over one mile. The four-year-old chestnut colt finished third, trailing Outbidder and Sunset Silhoutte. Another strong performance is anticipated from him here.

Ones to watch

Race 1) Kingswood/Jaxson/Nez Perce

Race 2) Money Market/Manoushe/Sensational Move