KINGSTON, Jamaica - Champion trainer Jason DaCosta expects his two exceptional fillies, Mamma Mia and Thalita, to deliver solid performances in the Jamaica St Leger Classic tomorrow (July 1) at Caymanas Park. The Leger, the second jewel in the Triple Crown series of races, will be run over a distance of 10 furlongs (2,000m).
Mamma Mia made a magnificent effort when it mattered most, winning the $3.75-million Jamaica 1000 Guineas on Saturday, June 3, 2023. She won the Futurity for three-year-old native-bred fillies going a mile (1,600m) in 1:39.0, beating Thalita.
“I always thought that if Mamma Mia gets an easy lead, she will be really tough. She has always been a classy horse, and she has had her little issues, but I think we have finally figured her out now.
“She has tons of ability, and so we will take it from here on. At one stage in the 1000 Guineas, it looked like Thalita would blow by and win easily, but Mamma Mia really dug in deep, and both of them did tremendously well because they beat the rest of the field with ease.
“Both of them ran their hearts out, and I am very happy with both of them. Mamma Mia is maturing and she is settling down, and so hopefully she will settle down and behave better, and we can get her to stretch out,” DaCosta said shortly after the Guineas.
DaCosta remarked that both runners have been doing well since the 1000 Guineas and should perform at their highest in the St Leger.
“Both of them [Mamma Mia and Thalita] came out of the race [the 1000 Guineas] in excellent condition, so they are in a good spot,” DaCosta said.
The champion trainer continued: “They got their final gallop on Sunday, and if all is well with them, then they will be in the Jamaica St Leger on Saturday. As to their chances of winning, Mojito, the winner of the 2000 Guineas, is a hard horse to beat, but, you know, we will be trying.”
