The Thornbird Stakes – What Did We Learn?

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ian Parsard-trained Bootylicious laid down her class credentials and showcased her potential for Classic race success in no uncertain manner after a commanding performance to win the 2023 seven-furlong Thornbird Stakes.

The Quick Galloper analyses the result of the 2023 Thornbird Stakes done in the order of finish. There were ten starters in the Thornbird.

FIRST – BOOTYLICIOUS – Bootylicious entered the Thornbird as the only unbeaten horse in the field of ten. She left the event with her record intact. In winning this major preparation race for the upcoming Classics, especially those confined to three-year-old fillies, the Parsard trainee demonstrated her progressiveness, and her ability to get further than seven furlongs. Many before the Thornbird suggested that, Bootylicious was essentially a sprinter slash middle-distance performer. In the Thornbird, Bootylicious raced off the pace, and when challenged in the straight, found more than enough to move ahead of challengers, giving the clear impression that going longer say a mile will not be difficult. She can only improve from here, thereby making the Portmore (7 ½ furlongs), and the 1000 Guineas (one mile) superbly convenient for her style of running. Parsard and winning jockey Reyan Lewis have a glorious history with three-year-old fillies. They both combined two years ago with the classy She’s A Wonder to win both the 1000 Guineas and the 10-furlong Jamaica Oaks. The Classic stars are aligning for this Key To Power out of Keep The Faith filly.

SECOND – THALITA – Thalita, who was racing for the first time since December of last year, did enough, coming off the pace to suggest, she is finding herself, and with time can be a worthy opponent in the Portmore and the Classic races. Thalita having had the benefit of the Thornbird effort, and if normal progression is assumed, will be more effective going longer. That was a good return effort by this Jason DaCosta trainee.

THIRD – MAMMA MIA- Mamma Mia can be satisfied with this third-place run. She had to come out of the one draw blazing as anything else would have scuppered any chance of success. As expected, Mamma Mia went to the lead, and when challenged in the straight by Bootylicious and Thalita found nothing to significantly change the final outcome. This Thornbird effort will aid the cause of Mamma Mia in her Classic quest, as she will be able to effectively get up to a mile, as seen in her second-place finish in last year’s one-mile Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes. Mamma Mia is not done as yet.

FOURTH – SAVVY GIRL – Savvy Girl finished well behind the winner, yet this run can be considered to be another step into her development. She entered the Thornbird as a winner of one race and was beaten by three multiple winners. It would appear based on her performances to date that Savvy Girl will be better going longer. Only time and natural improvement will tell.

FIFTH – LIGIT BOSS – Ligit Boss simply did not turn up in the Thornbird. Much more was expected from Ligit Boss. She will be back.

SIXTH – ALL FOR LOVE – All For Love was highly touted before the Thornbird, and did not respond. Cannot handle these at this time, but maybe when the races get longer.

SEVENTH – SPEEDIE HARE – Speedie Hare is probably better served to stick to her conditions, especially the sprints.

EIGHTH – ROYAL ASH – Royal Ash is another who did not choose to turn up in the Thornbird.

NINTH – BOASEY – Boasey is not in the Classic League at this time.

TENTH – ACKNOWLEDGEME – Acknowledge me is finding it difficult to handle her fellow three-year-old fillies.

So, what did we learn from the 2023 Thornbird Stakes?

One – Bootylicious is the real deal. She is going to be difficult to deal with when the Portmore and the 1000 Guineas come along. The final time done by Bootylicious of 1:26.1, was a fifth of a second faster than the recorded time done by Prince Consort winner Mojito. This, while early, and done on different race days, puts Bootylicious in the fray for both the St Leger and the Darby.

Two – Thalita will enjoy going longer but is still two to three lengths behind Bootylicious at this time in her career.

Three – Mamma Mia has to step up to ever get the better of Bootylicious, and her stablemate, Thalita.

Four – Ligit Boss has to quickly forget this effort.

Interesting days are ahead.