KINGSTON, Jamaica – It appears that leading and champion trainer Jason DaCosta has not made a final decision on where he will run his two Classic winning fillies, St Leger winner Thalita, and 1000 Guineas winner Mamma Mia, in the Jamaica Oaks or the Jamaica Derby.
When the provisional list of the thirty starters entered to participate in the 103rd Jamaica was made public, both Thalita and Mamma Mia were seen. Both fillies also feature on the list of potential starters in the fillies-only Jamaica Oaks.
The Oaks and the Derby are scheduled to be contested two days apart with the former on Saturday, August 5, and the Derby on Monday, August 7.
Based on the performances thus far of Thalita and Mamma Mia, it is clear that Thalita is better suited to the rigours of the 12 furlongs Derby journey, and is more than likely a certain Derby starter.
Mamma Mia after leading for most of the way in the 10-furlong St Leger tapered off in the straight, finishing fifth in the end.
Having dug her hoofs over ten furlongs in the St Leger, Mamma Mia, has a better chance of success racing against fillies only at the same distance of 10 furlongs in the Oaks.
So, its Thalita for the Derby and Mamma Mia for the Oaks.
Let us wait and see.
