KINGSTON, Jamaica - SINCE their Classical showdown in the 10-furlong (2,000m) Jamaica St Leger Classic on July 2, 2022, Atomica and Blue Vinyl — the two leading, native-bred three-year-olds at present — have been steadily preparing for their clash lash in the Jamaica Derby set for August 6 over 12 furlongs (2,400m).
Atomica entered the Jamaica St Leger undefeated while Blue Vinyl came into the race on the backend of two consecutive victories. In the end, Blue Vinyl won by 4¼ lengths in a time of 2:07.3 and remained on course for Triple Crown glory. The Triple Crown series of races includes the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, the Jamaica St Leger, and the Jamaica Derby.
Now the stage is set for another battle and both horses are expected to leave everything on the racetrack. Atomica, trained by Gary Subratie, has been the more active of the two at the exercise track in recent weeks with three noticeable spins, compared to Blue Vinyl’s one substantial gallop thus far.
On Sunday, July 10, Atomica strode four furlongs (800m) in 54.2 seconds. A week later, on July 17, the filly galloped six furlongs (1,200m) in a smooth 1:14.4, looking good in her spin. Galloping six furlongs again on July 24, Atomica was timed in 1:15.2.
Blue Vinyl, trained by Patrick Lynch, has been cantering two turns for most of his gallops at exercise, with his real spin coming on Wednesday, July 13 when he strode three furlongs (600m) in 40.0 seconds flat.
Another runner who could cause some anxious moments for the big two is Brinks. Brinks also looked good in his two gallops to date after his surprise effort in the St Leger. Trained by Ian Parsard, Brinks galloped one mile (1,600m) in 1:49.4 on Tuesday, July 22 before bettering that time at the same distance in 1:47.3 on Tuesday, July 25, signalling that he is in good health.
Meanwhile, favourite for the Jamaica Oaks Classic to be contested on August 7, Our Angel has so far had one workout. The Robert Pearson trainee on Wednesday, July 27 paced five furlongs (1,000m) in a time of 1:09.3. Our Angel was second to Atomica in the 1000 Guineas on June 4.
Other Oaks contenders Pelicula, Silent Mission, and champion two-year-old from last season Golden Wattle have been busy at exercise.
Golden Wattle has yet to taste success this season after being favoured to win the 1000 Guineas. The Anthony Nunes trainee has looked like a much-improved runner at exercise and could well be the surprise package for the Jamaica Oaks.
On Sunday, July 17 Golden Wattle galloped four furlongs out of the straight in 49.0 seconds flat, and on Saturday, July 23 she again galloped four furlongs out of the straight, clocking 49.2 seconds.
Pelicula, from the stables of trainer Richard Azan, had two sweet spins so far. She galloped five furlongs on Monday, July 11 in 1:04.3, and paced six furlongs in 1:25.2 on Sunday, July 24.
Silent Mission, trained by Jason DaCosta, has looked well in her three gallops so far in preparation for the Jamaica Oaks. The filly, on Tuesday, July 12, galloped four furlongs in 51.1 before clocking six furlongs in 1:16.0 on Monday, July 18. Her third gallop was the most impressive of the lot and saw her clocking 1:30.0 for seven furlongs (1,400m) on Sunday, July 24.
