KINGSTON, Jamaica - Trainer Phillip Feanny is not shy to admit that he believes wholeheartedly in the saying, “Make hay while the sun shines.”
Such as been the case with his United States-bred charge I’ve Got Magic, who is currently enjoying sizzling form.
After wrapping up a positive 2022 campaign in which he won four races, complemented by four second-place finishes in 14 starts, the five-year-old bay horse (Fast Anna – Lil Miss Richie), has picked up where he left off.
In two starts this year, I’ve Got Magic has ripped the competition to shreds as he topped the St Catherine Cup feature over 6 furlongs on January 14 and followed that up with another commanding victory in the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Trophy race over a mile on January 28.
However, things were not always on the upside for I’ve Got Magic, which is why his decorated conditioner is aiming to make the most of his fitness while the opportunity exists.
“He had his fair share of problems over the years and right now he is sound, so we just want to make the best of it as long as he is able to continue this way,” Feanny said.
“We have not been doing much with him in terms of preparation, because he is racing and running well, so it’s a matter of just keeping him fit and ready for the next run,” he added.
In his most recent run, a three-year-old and upwards Open Allowance contest for the Alexander Hamilton Memorial trophy, I’ve Got Magic was always expected to go on a stroll and he delivered as predicted — though he made it a bit more difficult than it should have been.
Despite shouldering top weight 57.0kg (126lb), I’ve Got Magic, piloted by leading rider Tevin Foster, left the number one draw well in the five-horse field and tracked fellow foreigner Lure Of Lucy (Omar Walker) from the Jason DaCosta barn for most of the way.
However, Foster gave supporters a brief scare approaching the stretch run as he gradually lost momentum when he switched I’ve Got Magic on the outside after comfortably tracking the leader on the inside rails from the off.
That switch not only allowed Lure of Lucy to get the first run in the homestretch but also gave Duke (Dane Dawkins) and Miniature Man (Abigail Able) a brief look in.
Still, Foster, with all his experience, made the necessary corrections and I’ve Got Magic briskly caught up to Lure of Lucy before leaving rivals in his wake at the furlong pole to make it a mere formality. Duke was left three lengths back as he closed to snatch second from Lure of Lucy, with Miniature Man completing the frame.
The Lakeland Farms-owned I’ve Got Magic stopped the clock in a flat 1:42.0, behind splits of 24.3, 48.2, and 1:15.0.
Feanny knew his charge was always a cut above rivals and, as such, was pleased that he performed accordingly.
“We don’t worry about the time, I am more concerned about who he runs against, but he ran a good race and won, so I am very happy,” he said.
“We have another sprint race coming up that we are looking at, but we will wait and see if we will run him there, but it is so far so good,” he noted.
Foster, also shared a few thoughts about the Richard Lake-bred I’ve Got Magic.
“It wasn’t the perfect performance but I’m satisfied enough because when I asked him to run he responded well. I know him very well, which was what I expected. He is in very good form now and we just hope he will continue like this going forward,” Foster said.
