The 7th running of the Father’s Day Special Trophy produced a breakthrough moment for I Love Birdie, who shed his maiden tag with a determined victory on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The three‑year‑old bay colt, bred, owned, and trained by Fitzroy Glispie, was partnered by Reyan Lewis over 7½ furlongs. He stopped the clock at 1:33.4, with sectional splits of 24.0, 47.0, 1:12.4, and 1:26.3.
Breaking sharply, I Love Birdie settled just off the pace, tracking Golden Ambassador (Eric Haughton) past the seven‑furlong pole. As the field tightened entering the half‑mile, Prosperity Sen (Tyrese Anderson) slipped by, but Lewis kept his mount relaxed and in rhythm.
The decisive move came turning for home. Lewis angled I Love Birdie wide, asked for more, and the colt responded with a sustained rally. In the final furlong he wore down Golden Ambassador, edging clear to win by three‑quarters of a length. Prosperity Sen held third after his mid‑race challenge.
For connections, the victory was a reward for patience and persistence, and it marked I Love Birdie as a colt capable of progressing further in Jamaica’s competitive three‑year‑old division.
