Easter Monday 2026 racing will generate talking points among punters and analysts, with nearly nine months of this Racing Year in Jamaica still to unfold. Staged as race nine, the fifth renewal of the Ivan Levy Cup was featured on the programme of ten races. Contested by a field of eight top-class campaigners, Rideallday (USA), saddled by former 14-time titlist Philip Feanny and guided by veteran Ian Spence, was bet as the invincible favourite at odds of 2-5.
A formidable dark grey specimen of a colt, it was clear in the post-parade that Rideallday, the seven-and-a-half-length winner of the 2025 US$300,000 Mouttet Mile last December, had made significant physical progress from three to four years under the care of the acknowledged training maestro.
Always going well with veteran reinsman Ian Spence, Rideallday took command exactly two furlongs out and was pursued to the line by stablemate Supernatural Power (USA). The track record time of 1:41.4, lowering the 1997 mark of 1:42.1 (Smile ‘N’ Leave/USA). The winner was in front by just over three lengths when the eight-and-a-half furlong gallop was ended by the winning post. `.
The day’s first memorable moment was delivered in race seven, an event restricted to maiden three-year-olds over a distance of six furlongs. Debutant and 1-2 bet, Imjustagirl (USA), schooled by reigning four-time champion Jason Dacosta and partnered by Robert Halledeen, won the six-furlong contest by seven lengths striding at no more than a canter while posting a time of 1:11.3, easing down from a furlong out. If all goes well, this bay progeny of Girvin (USA) with normal improvement is likely to be a contender for major prizes in due course.
As the 2024 graduates of the Jamaica Racing Commission Riding School (JRCRS) continue to impress, Shaheem Gordon won the six-furlong opener aboard the ten-year-old mare Splendid Vision (5-2) for conditioner Donovan Plummer.
In race three, run at five and a half furlongs, Tajay Suckoo made full use of his opportunity with Choo Blue (3-1) clear by over four lengths.
Romane Gordon got in on the apprentice showcase in the six-furlong race four with a three-length victory margin aboard Peter-John Parsard’s double-opener Diesel Train (USA), the 3-5 favourite.
Not to be outdone and back from injury, Jaheem Anderson, for his eighth win this year, rode Paul Charlton’s Buttercup (7-1) the ten-length runaway over the seven and a half furlongs of race five.
Owner/trainer Carlton Cunningham got the benefit of the full skill set of Richie Shakes, another product of the JRCRS 2024 class, in the seven-furlong race six with Awesome Anthony (4-1) scoring by a head in a competitive line-up.
Interestingly, former three-time champion and current leader Anthony Nunes, although in absentia, in a follow-up to double success 48 hours earlier, posted another on today’s card. Race two went to three-year-old maiden filly, Passion And Beyond (2-1), for the first of the two on the day, as well as for champion jockey Raddesh Roman. The aforementioned Choo Blue, winner of race three, confirmed the two-day total of the Nunes four.
Trainer Parsard had his double secured on the day in tandem with Roman as maiden colt Sky Is The Limit (2-5) sprinted to a four-length victory over the five and a half furlongs of race eight.
In the closing event, seven-year-old top-class sprinter Desert of Malibu (USA), had a facile four and a half length success, advertised the fact that she has retained a lot of her early ability. Ridden by 2022 champion Dane Dawkins and declared by Gary Subratie, this was her 12th win, four seconds, and one third from only 21 starts in her three seasons locally. It was also the 500th winner for Dawkins.
