KINGSTON, Jamaica - The first staging of Jamaica Day (November 13, 2021) was a huge success for all concerned.
There were increases in all purses offered on the day, the betting was brisk, and the racing was simply outstanding.
THE QUICK GALLOPER will examine all the major races, the Jamaica Cup, the St Elizabeth Distaff, and the Port Royal Sprint individually. But the examination of the day starts with three of the other races.
NUMBER ONE – Jordan Reign’s
This US-bred bay gelding made his first track appearance on October 23. He demolished opponents then just as he did on Jamaica Day.
Jordan Reign’s has had many issues to deal with in the past which hampered his preparation to race as a three-year-old. Thankfully, those issues seem to be resolved thus allowing this talented gelding to now showcase his class.
The win by Jordan Reign’s on Jamaica Day was sublime. Racing over 5 ½ furlongs, the Ian Parsard trainee, ridden by Omar Walker was quickly on the headlines, and after shrugging off all and sundry galloped strongly in the straight to win by four lengths.
The time recorded by Jordan’s Reign was 1:05.2 with splits of 23.0 x 45.1. For a non-winner of two races, to clock, such a fast time for 5 ½ furlongs is worthy of significant notice.
It is to be noted that one of the horses defeated by Jordan’s Reign's was Secret Identity, who skipped the St Elizabeth Distaff to race here.
If all continues along the right path, this foreigner will weave through all his restricted conditions (non three; non four) and move to Overnight and then beyond.
Let’s hope, that is indeed so, as the top class needs all the help it can get. Congrats to the team at the Parsard Stables.
NUMBER TWO Power
Power is a US-bred two-year-old chestnut colt trained by Philip Feanny. Racing for the second time on Jamaica Day, Power, who had some traffic problems when first out, repaired the damage with a strong effort.
Racing over six furlongs, Power was early and drew away from rivals to win by five lengths in a reasonable time of 1:14.0 with Omar Walker in the saddle.
It was not a win which brought the rafters down, but THE QUICK GALLOPER believes that early seeds are being sown by Power and his connections. As a result, THE QUICK GALLOPER is placing Power on its significant watch list.
NUMBER THREE Curlin’s Affair
This chestnut three-year-old colt by Perfect Curlin – Nuclear Affair trained by Anthony Nunes registered his second win from five starts.
Curlin’s Affair finished fourth in the Prince Consort Stakes on April 8, behind the likes of Billy Whizz, Further and Beyond, and Calculus.
Then he was a no-show in THE KINGSTON on May 8. Following that May 8 race, Curlin’s Affair did not race again until October 23, when he finished second behind Jordan Reign’s.
That was because certain issues had been spotted, and time, treatment, and rest were required to get him fit and truly proper to race again.
That warm-up effort brought Curlin’s Affair to Jamaica Day when he ran strongly to get home by a neck, a fitting reward for his handlers.
