Miniature Man looms large with commanding victory in 2000 Guineas – no need for photo finish

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The last time Miniature Man raced was in the Kingston Stakes (May 8 – 7 ½ furlongs).

On that occasion, Miniature Man finished in a dead heat with Further and Beyond. That dead heat result has since been shrouded in controversy and is now the subject of an investigation by the Jamaica Racing Commission.

The re-match clash between Miniature Man and Further and Beyond was therefore the main focus of interest going into today’s (June 5) 2000 Guineas for colts and geldings run at a mile.

That rivalry, however, sadly did not materialise as Miniature Man ridden by Dick Cardenas and trained by Jason DaCosta produced an exhilarating stretch run to win this Classic race. It was a first Classic win for DaCosta and the third 2000 for Cardenas. Cardenas had previously won on Mark My Word in 2010 and Uncle Donny in 2012.

With 16 horses in the line-up, Further and Beyond (Dane Nelson) got off to a lazy start along with stablemate Calculus (Phillip Parchment) as Billy Whizz (Anthony Thomas) and Regal and Royal (Tevin Foster) vied for the lead.

While on the outside, Nuclear Noon (Robert Halledeen) and Miniature Man cruised down without hindrance.

Billy Whizz continued to lead but leaving the half-mile, Nuclear Noon went by and set sail for home with Miniature Man hovering close by. At this stage in the race with Miniature Man was in front of Further and Beyond which was a tell-tale sign that the writing was truly on the wall for the latter.

Turning for home on the outside, Miniature Man quickly challenged Nuclear Noon in the last two furlongs and just got the better of his rival in the final half a furlong, winning in a time of 1:39.3 and by 1¼ lengths. Further and Beyond was third.

Miniature Man (Northern Giant – Runaway Gal) is owned by Elizabeth DaCosta and was bred by YS 1955 Limited. This was the second Classic winner sired by Northern Giant following Princess Anne's victory in the 2019 Jamaica Oaks.