KINGSTON, Jamaica - From the moment the 10 nominations were published, the first renewal of the 1,900-metre, $6.0-million Jamaica Cup generated huge talking points. This marquee event was billed mainly as a clash of successful 2022 Classic aspirants, namely Atomica (Jamaica Derby & 1000 Guineas) and Blue Vinyl (Jamaica St Leger & 2000 Guineas) who, when they met, exchanged victories in the St Leger and Derby.
With Calculus, hero of the 2021 Derby and St Leger and winner of five races from 11 starts this season, along with Miniature Man, fresh from his first victory since his triumphant 2000 Guineas run in 2021 as well as King Arthur (2020 Derby), ensured the local breeders were well represented with the annual sale of yearlings scheduled for the following day.
Separate and apart from a less than ideal start, the Gary Subratie-conditioned Atomica had a frequently interrupted gallop in the 1,400-metre Gold Cup on October 22. The big filly finished nearly nine lengths adrift of top-rated champion sprinter Mahogany. As a spectacle, the Jamaica Cup was uncompetitive or anticlimactic but even the genuine lovers of horse racing, who opposed Atomica (Dane Dawkins), must have admired her total dominance.
Today’s 16-length romp from the gates as the 3-5 favourite was not dissimilar to Atomica’s near 17-length 1000 Guineas canter. That run was a never-before-seen 1:37.0 seconds clocking toting 57.0 kilos over 1,600 metres in that Classic staged on June 4.
From the start, Blue Vinyl (Reyan Lewis) engaged in a mostly hard-ridden vain pursuit for 1,700 metres and faded to be only fifth while 52-1 outsider Crimson (Raddesh Roman), from the Subratie stable, was second nearly five lengths ahead of Miniature Man (Anthony Thomas) at 14-1.
The opening event contested over 1,100 metres on the 10-race programme was won by 9-1 shot Alexa’s Lodge (Ramon Nepare) and allowed veteran conditioner Phillip Lee to enjoy his best day of the season. Lee was back in the winners’ enclosure when maiden Sarge In Charge (Andre Powell) won the 1,200-metre sixth beating 15 rivals at 13-1 after opening at 5-1.
Trainer Dennis Thwaites saddled his 19th winner from 90 declarations this year with the hard-knocking four-year-old gelding Hijo Primero (3-5), ridden by champion Anthony Thomas, winning over 1,400 metres in race two.
Formerly a race of more significance, the mares and fillies 1,600-metre St Elizabeth Distaff, run as the third event, was won easily, over seven lengths clear, by even money favourite She’s My Destiny (Omar Walker). With Make Up Artist in second and Lure Of Lucy (USA) third. the first three to finish were saddled by Jason DaCosta.
Half an hour later, following the running of race four over 1,300 metres, DaCosta returned to winners’ enclosure where Phillip Parchment aboard 5-1 shot Tekapunt confirmed double success for the leading high-powered stable. While race five, contested over the 1,000-metre straight course, was won by always clear frontrunner Atonement (18-1), owned and trained by Raymond Townsend and guided by Jordan Barrett.
Trainer Richard Azan, who is part owner as well, declared blinkers for promising two-year-old colt Mojito who lost ground at the start of his first two races. The well conformed Savoy Stomp grey did nothing wrong on this occasion and won race seven over 1,200 metres by six and a half lengths at 1-9. This gave leading reinsman Dane Dawkins the first of his two wins as he added Atomica in the feature to close the day on 85 two more than chief protagonist Anthony Thomas.
Trained by former 14-time titlist Philip Feanny, 7-1 bet Excessive Force (USA), unraced since May 22 this season, looked a complete picture in the post-parade and ran accordingly. Held off the early pace by Bebeto Harvey, the five-year-old imported chestnut produced an impressive turn of finishing speed in the stretch run to beat 6-5 favourite the frontrunning Madelyn’s Sunshine (Anthony Thomas). Following a seven-length romp in his maiden victory on September 25, March And Shoot (Ramon Nepare) saddled by Ray Phillips for the 1,400-metre nightcap was just over five lengths clear on this occasion at odds of 3-1.
The Training Feat Award is presented to Philip Feanny for the performance of Excessive Force (USA) returning from a near six-month hiatus to execute the Best Winning Gallop under superb handling from Bebeto Harvey, only 43 rides so far this season, to earn the now infrequently engaged reinsman a rare Jockeyship Award.
