Is That A Fact Makes It Win #4 In 2024

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Jockey Shavon Townsend appears to have unlocked the hidden potential of Is That A Fact, according to trainer Jason DaCosta. This optimism follows Is That A Fact's dominant victory in the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

"The performance from Is That A Fact was very good," DaCosta said. "He is a hard horse to ride and so if a jockey meshes well with him, he will get the best out of him."

Townsend's handling seems to be the key, as DaCosta revealed, "The plan is just to keep on choosing the spots for him and hopefully he will continue to improve as the main objective is the Mouttet Mile at the end of the year."

The race itself showcased Is That A Fact's tactical brilliance. Starting behind the leaders, he patiently waited for his moment. "Is That A Fact was travelling best of all," DaCosta explained. "I mean, he cruised down on them and looked like he could have gone through at any time. From the three-eighths pole, he looked like the winner."

With a powerful surge in the final stretch, Is That A Fact left the competition in the dust, winning by a commanding 5 ¾ lengths. This victory also secured a one-two finish for owner Carlton Watson with Madelyn's Sunshine coming in second.

DaCosta seems confident that Is That A Fact is on the right trajectory. "We figured that I Am Fred would go to the lead but we didn’t know that he would get so much pressure on the headline," he said. "He [I Am Fred] was heavy in the scales and Is That A Fact was light and so the lighter horse came out on top."

Is That A Fact's impressive performance has set the stage for a strategic campaign leading up to the prestigious Mouttet Mile later this year.