The Mr Lover Lover Trophy, the second of nine races on Saturday, June 21, 2025, carries historical weight. Named in honour of the only horse to win both the Jamaica Derby and the Trinidad Derby in the same year, the race is a two-turn contest over nine furlongs and 25 yards.
It’s open to three-year-old non-winners of two races and maiden three-year-old foreigners, though all six runners this year are locally bred.
Among the field, three entries—Alive, Nuclear Jet, and Bangarang—appear unlikely to pose a serious threat. Alive and Nuclear Jet step into this class for the first time following lacklustre maiden wins.
Bangarang, on the other hand, finished a disappointing 14th out of 15 in the 1000 Guineas and now faces a more demanding assignment over a longer trip. Success here would require nothing short of a miracle.
That narrows the real challengers to Lockdown, Uncle Harry, and Perfect Affair.
Uncle Harry finished sixth in his first outing at this level, a respectable effort that suggests improvement is possible, though perhaps not immediate.
Lockdown, who contested the one-mile 2000 Guineas, finished sixth, nine lengths behind winner Sensational Soul. He showed speed early before tiring in the final stages, but that outing hinted at his ability, and with a weight drop, he looks well-positioned to make an impact.
Perfect Affair, sixth in the 1000 Guineas and fifteen lengths adrift of Burning Hedge, made up significant ground from well behind. That late surge indicates she may relish this longer trip and is a solid contender for August’s Jamaica Oaks over 10 furlongs. Her performance here could serve as an important stepping stone.
With the typical uncertainties of horse racing acknowledged, Lockdown is given the edge in the Mr Lover Lover Trophy.
