KINGSTON, Jamaica - FOLLOWING Thalita’s victory in the 97th running of the $4.5-million Jamaica St Leger Classic on Saturday, July 1, 2023, trainer Jason DaCosta said the win by his talented filly stands high among his triumphs since he began training horses at Caymanas Park in 2021.
Thalita, who finished second to stablemate Mamma Mia in the 1000 Guineas on June 3, 2023, came from behind runners in a dramatic stretch run to win the Jamaica St Leger, a Futurity race for native-bred three-year-olds, by a six-length margin.
Thalita, a Soul Warrior-Luminous Trieste-bred filly, completed the 10-furlong (2,000m) trip in 2:11.0. Thalita’s victory prevented Mamma Mia and Mojito from continuing their journey to Triple Crown glory.
“My two fillies [Thalita and Mamma Mia] are pretty close in ability, but both horses couldn’t win [the Jamaica St Leger] so basically we have to come up with a plan. The plan was for one to go to the lead and take the pressure and the other one to come off the pace — and it worked out today [Saturday],” according to DaCosta.
“This victory ranked high in my achievements because nobody gave us a chance as everybody was just talking about one horse, Mojito — and rightly so — and it is a good feeling to beat the odds-on favourite in a race like this,” the champion trainer remarked in his post-race interview.
When asked where fillies might run next, DaCosta was circumspect.
“Well, I guess we have to decide whether we’re going to the Jamaica Derby or the Jamaica Oaks with the fillies. She [Thalita] beat all the boys today so we’ll see how things go. Let’s see how she did in the race and then I’ll talk to the owner about where we’re going,” he added.
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One is going in the oaks n the other in the derby..
Looks that way