KINGSTON, Jamaica – As the field of three-year-old colts and geldings lacks a clear frontrunner, the 2024 Prince Consort Stakes is poised to provide pivotal insights into this group's capabilities.
Scheduled for Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Prince Consort Stakes is a critical preparatory race leading up to the Classic events. Competitors will vie over a distance of seven furlongs.
This year, nine contenders are slated to participate.
Insights from The Quick Galloper on each entrant are outlined below:
1 - CROWN CHASER: This bay colt, born on January 30 and sired by Bern Identity from Salty Talk, is trained by Anthony Nunes with Raddesh Roman in the jockey's seat. His competitive debut 77 days ago resulted in an impressive nine-length victory over 6 ½ furlongs, clocking in at 1:21.3. With careful preparation for the Prince Consort and subsequent Classics, Crown Chaser's will have no problems with the seven-furlong distance. He is a promising talent and appears well-suited for Sunday's challenge.
2 - J SPIETH: Patrick Lynch trains this grey colt, born on March 26 from Spieth out of Alice and Trixie, with Reyan Lewis as jockey. Notably, J Spieth will race with a tongue tie. He finished a commendable second in the 6-furlong Sir Howard, narrowly missing the win. With expected improvement, J Spieth is a strong contender for the Prince Consort distance.
3 - MATUSO: Born on April 6, this bay colt by Casual Trick out of Puddy Pooh, will be ridden by Shamaree Muir but there may be a change of rider as Muir fell from his mount in the last event on Saturday. Despite a disappointing performance in the one-mile Two-Year-Old Jamaica Stakes, Matuso returned to win unexpectedly over five furlongs on March 9. With two wins to his name, he cannot be discounted in this race.
4 - CAPTAIN SPARROW: A bay colt by Savoy Stomp out of Rackham’s Mistress, born on March 16, will be guided by Romario Spencer. After a victorious second start over the same distance as the Prince Consort, Captain Sparrow demonstrated his potential. Facing a stronger field on Sunday, his progress is worth monitoring.
5 - INTRESTNTIMESAHEAD: The two-year-old champion, a bay colt by Bold Conquest out of My Friend Lucy, born on February 8, is trained by Jason DaCosta with Tevin Foster riding. Returning to the fray, Intrestntimesahead has been fine-tuning his condition, as observed in morning training sessions. Despite the lack of wins from his peers who finished second and third in the Two-Year-Old Stakes, his enterprising workouts position him as the favourite.
6 - ALLEGIANCE: This chestnut colt, born on February 26 and sired by Midnight Hawk from Princess Geeta, is under Anthony Nunes's training with Josue Osorio as the prospective jockey. After an unexpected victory in the Sir Howard Stakes, Allegiance must step up his game to succeed in the Prince Consort.
7 - TEFLON DON: Jason DaCosta trains this bay colt, born on May 13, by Casual Trick out of The Lady Scored, with Robert Halledeen in the saddle. Racing with the figure 8, Teflon Don is likely to be with the early pace setters but will not sustain it to the end.
8 - UNRULY DON: Oral Hayden trains this bay colt, born on April 26, by Savoy Stomp out of Lady Mandi, with Youville Pinnock as jockey. Unruly Don will be on Lasix for the first time. Despite a promising debut win eight days prior, it may not be his time to shine just yet.
9 - MIDNIGHT GALAXY: Trained by Gresford Smith, this grey colt, born on March 31 and sired by Midnight Hawk from Galaxy Miss, will have Paul Francis as jockey. Racing with cheekpieces, Midnight Galaxy may need more time before finding victory.
The Prince Consort Stakes promises to be a race filled with potential discoveries about the future of these young competitors.