The conclusion of the 2024 racing year has sparked a flurry of reviews and analyses dissecting the season's performances, particularly in the realm of two-year-old races.
Quickgallopja.com has keenly examined the 2024 juvenile season, which kicked off on August 1 with the traditional three-furlong Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission - Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Juvenile Sprint.
Jason DaCosta’s Miss MoneyPenny, ridden by Tevin Foster, claimed victory, marking her as the inaugural two-year-old winner of 2024. However, her win was overshadowed by the event’s limited participation, a troubling trend that persisted throughout the season.
The majority of two-year-old races were undersubscribed, a situation starkly highlighted in the prestigious Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes.
The 2024 juvenile landscape can be distinctly categorized into two factions: the local contingent and their foreign counterparts. The influx of a significant number of foreign-bred youngsters has revitalized the competitive scene, frequently outshining the locally bred horses.
LOCALLY BRED TWO-YEAR-OLDS OF 2024
After a decisive win in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, Burning Hedge, owned, trained, and bred by Carl Anderson, has emerged as the standout star among the local crop.
This impressive filly, bred by Hedge Fund out of Burning Clearance, showcased his potential with a commanding victory over five rivals in the one-mile event, setting the stage for an ambitious three-year-old Classic season ahead.
However, should Burning Hedge be removed from the equation, the prospects for the remaining locally bred two-year-olds are scant.
Many trainers believe that the best of this cohort is yet to emerge, emphasizing a preference for allowing their horses to mature before racing them at three, thereby not overburdening them too early. Unquestionably, Burning Hedge stands as the premier locally bred juvenile of 2024.
FOREIGN BRED TWO-YEAR-OLDS OF 2024
The removal of the importation levy has paved the way for a surge of foreign influence, primarily represented by the formidable American-bred Unspun, trained by Donovan Hutchinson.
Unspun has achieved three wins in four starts, including two victories over both Burning Hedge and the highly regarded Rideallday. Other notable foreign competitors include Rideallday and Supernatural Power, both under the stewardship of Philip Feanny.
Unspun’s three-race triumphs position him as the undisputed champion among two-year-olds, setting a high bar for the competition.
Exciting times lie ahead as the spotlight shifts to the foreign two-year-olds of 2024, who are poised to make significant waves in the 2025 three-year-old season.
The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown, and all eyes will be on these promising talents as they continue their journey on the racetrack.
