The prestigious AGL 'Blanca Nieves' Superstakes takes place this Saturday at Caymanas Park. The Gleaner begins its countdown for one of the stellar attractions on the horse racing calendar.

AD INFINITUM

OWNER; Elias Haloute

TRAINER: Anthony Nunes

BREEDER: Orange Valley Estates Limited

AD INFINITUM produced a terrific stretch run under Dane Nelson to win last year's Superstakes in a driving finish from hot favourite ALSAFRA and RUM TALK.

Although getting on in age, the seven-year-old bay gelding by Pangur Ban out of Infinity still packs a terrific late kick and being the quintessential mile and quarter horse, can definitely rise to the occasion once again.

Last year, he won the Joseph Ashenheim Bowl over the distance and followed up under a big weight in the Governor General's Stakes again over 2000-metres on Heroes Day. Less than a month later he posted the biggest win of his career in the Superstakes over his favourite trip.

Although failing to win in seven attempts after the Superstakes, AD INFINITUM gave a timely reminder that he's ready to defend his title with a decisive win in the Governor General's Stakes on October 19, a race he was winning for the second year in a row.

With stable jockey Brian Harding in the saddle, AD INFINITUM finished strongly under a bustling ride to catch and beat the American filly Good Citizen by a length.

With his preparation complete, trainer Anthony 'Baba' Nunes could well saddle his fourth Superstakes winner behind TERREMOTO (1998), PITTACUS (2003) and AD INFINITUM last year.

The veteran campaigner has won 11 races from 39 starts, lifetime with total stakes of $9.6 million.

HE'S REALLY OK

OWNER: Patrick Smellie

TRAINER: Patrick Smellie

BREEDER: Patrick Smellie

HE'S REALLY OK graduated from the ranks of the second tier three-year-olds to win the June 13 Jamaica Derby in an epic duel with the 2000 Guineas and subsequent St Leger winner BRUCEONTHELOOSE.

Only a short head separated them at the finish in what must surely rank as the closest Derby in 50 years of racing at Caymanas Park.

Although running consistently well in the first four months of the season, including a good fourth to BRUCEONTHELOOSE in the 2000 Guineas on April 4, HE'S REALLY OK got his act together to win the Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) over 2000-metres on May 23, this by 2 1/4 lengths from JAYLEN and RED SKULL.

Although BRUCEONTHELOOSE and SAINT CECELIA elected to bypass the Lotto Classic in preparation for the Derby, HE'S REALLY OK ran the race of his life to upstage them in the Derby, thanks to an inspired ride from Paul 'Country' Francis.

The grey colt by He'stherealthing out of the Slick Trick mare OK Mom was then trained by Frederick Watson, who controls a small string of horses.

Although performing below par behind BRUCEONTHELOOSE in the St Leger three weeks later, this after leading for the first 1200-metres, HE'S REALLY OK, running with a mere 50kg, rebounded with a narrow victory in the Prime Minister's Stakes over 2000-metres on August 6, humbling the likes of AD INFINITUM and RUM TALK in the process.

HE'S REALLY OK has shown a knack for the big occasion and will give it his all come 'Superday'.

REGAL SELECTION

OWNER: Houston Stables

TRAINER: Morris Powell

BREEDER: Y.S. (1955) Ltd.

After winning his first three races of the season quite convincingly, REGAL SELECTION was put firmly in his place by RUM TALK in the Legal Light Trophy over 1820 metres when taking on grade one company for the first time on April 18.

The four-year-old colt by Natural Selection out of Chie Liu Poo finished second, beaten all of 10 lengths by a rampaging RUM TALK.

Since then he has been sparingly raced due to a recurring back problem, but signalled that all was right with him on October 10 with an upset victory under top weight in the Owen Silvera Memorial Cup, his victims including SAINT CECELIA, ALLIEDFORCE and the vastly improved three-year-old colt UNDAUNTED, who finished 2 1/4 lengths second.

REGAL SELECTION covered the distance in the good time of 1:38.1 and now back to his best, could give trainer Morris Powell something to smile about on the big day.