THALITA – BECOMES THE FIRST 2022 JUVENILE TO WIN TWO RACES

KINGSTON, Jamaica - THALITA, from the stables of Jason DaCosta, established herself as the leading juvenile this season after capturing the $1.06-million Princess Popstar Trophy at Caymanas Park on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Caymanas Park.

Bred by Soul Warrior out of Luminous Trieste, Thalita produced a late rally to beat Legit Boss and American-bred Sistren Treasure by a length and a quarter in the native-bred and imported two-year-old Restricted Allowance II contest at 5½ furlongs (1,100m). In winning the race Thalita became the only two-year-old this season to win two races.

With champion jockey Anthony Thomas in the saddle, Thalita jumped straight for the lead at the start of the race but allowed Legit Boss (Dick Cardenas) to take over after the first half-furlong of the contest.

Legit Boss upped the tempo navigating the half-mile (800m), bringing the field into the lane at a merry clip. Inside the final furlong, Thomas produced his mount on the inside rails and Thalita responded well and got up in time in the final stages of the race for victory.

Sistren Treasure (Dane Dawkins), who also produced a late surge in deep stretch, was a short head behind Legit Boss at the wire. The final time for the race was an encouraging 1:06.1.

“The performance by Thalita was good. I liked how she ran and finished the race strongly. She broke well, I bided my time, and when I asked her to run, she picked up the gallop well and came home as the winner. She is a nice horse with more scope for improvement,” Thomas said.

DaCosta was elated with the win by his charge.

“This is a talented filly in the making. She has class, and on Saturday (October 8), she showed guts and determination. Based on her present running style in her races and at exercise, Thalita seems to want to go longer which is always a good sign.

”This was a fighting win by Thalita,“ DaCosta said in his post-race interview.