KINGSTON, Jamaica – Following the completion of the three-year-old Classic 10-furlong St Leger on Saturday, July 1, 2023, won by the filly Thalita trained by Jason DaCosta, with Money Miser second and Princess Sharon third, the next moves on the Classic trail are the Jamaica Derby and the Jamaica Oaks.
Money Miser and Princess Sharon are both trained by Fitzroy Glispie.
The result of the St Leger has placed trainers Glispie, and DaCosta in a conundrum. Where will they place their horses, the Derby (12 furlongs) or the Jamaica Oaks (10 furlongs)?
In the case of Glispie it is much easier to decide. Money Miser is a colt and therefore does not qualify for the fillies only Jamaica Oaks. This means that Money Miser will, all things being equal, start in the Derby on August 7, with the filly Princess Sharon, after her superb effort in the St Leger, moving to the Oaks on August 5.
It is different for DaCosta. His two top three-year-olds are Thalita, winner of the St Leger and The Portmore, and Mamma Mia, winner of the 1000 Guineas, and fifth in the St Leger.
DaCosta now has to choose his option of where will his two fillies race next.
While no final decision has been made public by DaCosta, or Carlton Watson, the owner of Thalita and Mamma Mia, it is fairly safe to deduce that Thalita will go in the Derby, especially given her visible likeness for the longer distances, while Mamma Mia, who based on her starts to date prefers it shorter, is earmarked for the Oaks.
It’s decision time, and time, as always, will tell.
