Jamaica St Leger Race Day Review
THERE were sundry technical issues with a malfunctioning digital platform affecting the operation of cameras, leaving many punters unable to place bets. There was a significant delay to the start of the second event, which was understandably abandoned by the operation stewards. Race day medication Lasix's administration efficacy time (to control possible bleeding) had expired, leaving the officials with no alternative.
Staged as race nine, the result of the of the 97th Jamaica St Leger was somewhat surprising. This was not from the fact that the winner was classy Thalita (6-1) ridden by Reyan Lewis but rather that 2000 Guineas 10-length hero and 1-5 favourite Mojito never at any stage of the 2,000 metres looked likely to be a significant factor in the outcome. Drawn on the inside and trapped there for 1,000 metres Mojito, a very big colt, failed to run the turns effectively, failed to stay, and was eased to finish 32 lengths eighth of 12 starters.
On the other hand, the Jason DaCosta-conditioned filly Thalita, owned by champion and current leading owner Carlton Watson, outstayed her rivals thoroughly with a convincing six-length triumph to give the rider his second of two wins on the card.
Saddled by Fitzroy Glispie, 2000 Guineas runner-up and 7-1 bet Money Miser (Tevin Foster) was comfortably the best of the others. A genuine horseman who won Classics as both rider and trainer, Glispie's other entry Princess Sharon (Youville Pinnock) was third at odds of 26/1. Heroine of the 1000 Guineas, Mamma Mia (Phillip Parchment), also owned by Watson and declared by DaCosta, was fifth at odds of 6-1.
With the 2,000-metre Jamaica Oaks (restricted to fillies) and the 2,400-metre Jamaica Derby set for the August 5 and 7, respectively, this result of the St Leger leaves champion and current leader DaCosta as well as Glispie in the envious position of having intriguing decisions to make as it is not likely these fillies will be able contest both Classics, which are due to be staged 48 hours apart. Meanwhile, for trainer Richard Azan, it is back to the proverbial drawing board with Mojito. With Mamma Mia fifth, the 13th Caymanas Triple Crown winner will now not be a reality in 2023.
The day's opener was won comfortably by maiden filly For the Love Of God (6-5), ridden by Javaniel Patterson to outsprint seven rivals over 1,100 metres for owner/trainer Lawrence Freemantle who saddled the first of his two winners on the 10-race programme. Following a convincing display of speed and stamina over the 1,820 metres of race three by 3-5 favourite Shadowfax (Raddesh Roman), Freemantle was back in the winners' enclosure to confirm his double success.
Nine-year-old mare Sunshine Cat (Oniel Mullings) won the 1,400-metre fourth event at odds of 6-5 favourite to give recently licensed conditioner Oral Hayden his fourth career success from 15 declarations. Champion Dane Dawkins had the first of three wins in partnering 3-1 shot Secret Traveller, saddled by Robert FFrench, to score in the day's fifth run at 1,400 metres.
Backed at 10-1, improving Strike Smart (Omar Walker) looked in a different class while delivering a 10-length romp over 1,400 metres in race six for jockey-turned-trainer Phillip Elliot to win for a fifth time from his 18 declared starters this season.
Run as race seven, the first renewal of the 1,500-metre Clovis Metcalfe C D Trophy — staged in honour of the sitting chairman of the Jamaica Racing Commission and the Betting, Gaming & Lotteries Commission — went to 2022 Horse of the Year Atomica for Dawkins' second of his three winners. Saddled by Gary Subratie, this was the 10th career win from 14 appearances by the domineering, front-running champion filly. Dawkins' triple was confirmed in the nightcap, with God Of Love scoring over 1,100 metres for trainer Rowan Mathie. However, leading reinsman Reyan Lewis, in winning the eighth event over 1,400 metres aboard 4-5 favourite Zabratone for trainer Nicholas Smith, with today's double, has improved his season tally to 57, while Dawkins is on 41, Tevin Foster 40, and Anthony Thomas 35, commencing the second half of the 2023 racing year.
The Training Feat Award is given to DaCosta for presenting Thalita in unbeatable form and delivering The Best Winning Gallop under the expert assistance of Reyan Lewis, whose skill set in terms of tactical application and judgement of pace contributed in no small measure to the filly's success for the Jockeyship Award.
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