KINGSTON, Jamaica - The feature event, staged in honour of the 1991 Jamaica Derby winner Poorlittlerichgirl and run as the ninth event, had nine declarations but eight ran with 2020 Horse-of-the-Year Further And Beyond failing to face the starter.
Once again, as is now the norm subscribers to Track & Pools, the official form publication, got no citation for Poorlittlerichgirl, a wonderful thoroughbred, who, in addition to her local exploits, finished on the board in the 1991 Caribbean Classic in Puerto Rico.
The weight allotment was odd with five-year-old Jordon Reign’s (USA), whose only start was an eleven-length fifth place finish behind She’s My Destiny conceding three kilogrammes. Clearly the handicappers have never heard of the weight-for-table which considers the deterioration of form and ability nor have they any idea how to equalise form in the absence of a proper rating system.
Jordon Reign’s at 57 kilogrammes should be one kilogramme above Blue Vinyl at 56 and Perfect Brew at 55.5 and presenting the other starters, all at 48 kilogrammes, to give a theoretical probability they could compete successfully for the purse. Handicapping of the races does not conform with Jamaica Racing Commission Racing Rules #33 which speaks to having three handicappers and weight appended on “merit and performance”.
Ridden by Reyan Lewis (82) for champion and current table -topper Jason DaCosta, progressive US-bred importee Is That A Fact (1-1) held off a strong late challenge from Blue Vinyl to complete the 1400-metre gallop in front by a short head. Perfect Brew was three and a half adrift in third with Jordon Reign’s another seven and a half length further back in fourth. This was a hugely successful day for this most potent jockey/trainer partnership with Lewis completing a five-timer and DaCosta four.
The combination was off to a perfect start with the three-length victory by 8-5 bet Phenomenal One in the 1200-metre opener. Lewis picked up his second in the 1600-metre race two with a predictable wide-margin (8¾ lengths) success aboard Peter-John Parsard’s fast-improving US-bred filly Geolithic (1-9).
Champion Dane Dawkins (66) rode his sole winner in race three run at 1500 metres with Robert Pearson’s Rani Bangala, evens favourite, making it a hattrick of successes.
Tevin Foster (56) delivered a riding double with 13-1 shot Quantum Dancer securing the 1000-metre straight fourth event at the expense of 1-5 favourite Manaco for veteran trainer Adin Williams’s second of the season from only 11 declarations.
Over a similar distance for race five, Queen Zan (7-2) conditioned by recent licensee Barrington Bernard, gave Roger Hewitt his 19th winner of the season. Foster’s double was confirmed in race six with maiden Golden Loyalty (7-1) an early leader never looking likely to be overtaken over the 1200 metres to score by just over five lengths.
For race seven it was the Lewis/DaCosta combination for the winners’ enclosure as Wayne’s Princess (5-2) led easily and remained over three lengths ahead of the field for 1200 metres to please popular owner Wayne Henry.
The combination’s starter in race eight, Running Glory (USA), was always outpaced as Patrick Lynch’s speedy US-bred maiden filly Joy Is Golden (9-2), well ridden by two-kilo claimer Jordan Barrett, was a determined front runner to deny evens favourite Aria’s Reign by one length.
Prior to the start of race eight, there was a steady shower lasting about twenty minutes which made the conditions perfect for the importees to win the final three races. It was therefore hardly surprising that in the tenth and closing Luksol (USA) at 8-5, sprinted in just over two lengths ahead of her nearest of her 10 rivals to confirm Lewis’ fifth and DaCosta’s fourth trip to the winners’ enclosure.
The Training Feat Award is presented to Robert Pearson for the progress of Rani Bangala to win three times consecutively. The Best Winning Gallop was executed by Is That A Fact (USA) in an effort that met the criteria for speed, stamina and courage comfortably in all respects. Lewis whose judgement of pace in rating the horse, use of whip, balance and composure aboard the three-year-old American colt earns him yet another Jockeyship Award.
