KINGSTON, Jamaica - ALTHOUGH not especially frequent, there have been occasions when among the foals of some crops one of either sex emerges significantly superior enough to dominate the others in their second season, hence there have been 11 succeeding Triple Crown winners at Caymanas since Royal Dad became the first in 1981.
Of course, there have been a fair number of other outstanding three-year-olds that did not achieve Triple Crown glory but won two Classics as well as major races against older opposition.
As expected and run as race eight, the 47th renewal of the 1975 redesigned 2000 Guineas — reduced to 1600 metres from 1800 for both sexes and from then restricted to colts and geldings only — was won by the now most-outstanding-to-date Mojito (1-9).
The burly grey colt, running from post position two, was not as alert at the start as most of his eight rivals. He also had his ground taken early by the one draw on his inside.
Unperturbed by the incident, champion Dane Dawkins adjusted quickly and shifted his mount close to the running rails, and with the requisite daylight immediately available he paced to the lead and proceeded to dominate from 1200 metres out. Mojito beat his peers by 12 ½ lengths in 1500-metre The Kingston, an important preparation race for the Classics, and has repeated that feat here. The time of 1:37.2 for the trip sends a fearsome message to all likely Classic rivals and to others in all major races to come.
Schooled by Richard Azan, this progeny of Savoy Stomp is part-owned with Alexander Haber. Incidentally, whether singly or in partnerships, trainer Azan has been champion owner on seven previous occasions. The pundits have declared Mojito the likely 2023 Triple Crown hero, which is a reasonable assumption, but the reality will unfold on July 7 and August 7 following the staging of the St Leger and the Jamaica Derby, respectively.
The opening event, on a subdued Classic race day, went to 4-5 favourite Tocatbetheglory — owned and trained by Carl Anderson — who was ridden by leading reinsman Reyan Lewis for the first of three successes on the day.
In race two half-hour later there was another of the now-frequent runaway winners, this time by 14 lengths over 1300 metres. Recently licensed Carlton Cunningham enjoyed success with Regnant (4-5), guided by former three-time titlist Anthony Thomas for the first of the ex-champion’s two successes on the 10-race card.
Speaking of double riding success, it was three-kilo claimer Anthony Allen’s opportunity to open his day’s account in race three. From off a strong early pace 40/1 bet Zion’s Princess, saddled by owner Michael Beecham, was four and a half lengths better than her six rivals at the end of the 1100-metre gallop.
While in race four, run at a similar distance, Lewis rode his second of three aboard US-bred Inspire Force (9-5) for former 14-time champion Philip Feanny.
Kerry-Gayl Robinson’s first mount of the season was a successful one aboard 3/1 choice Stanislaus. The nine-year-old gelding was saddled by Joseph Thomas to win race five over the 1000-metre-straight course.
In race six, run at the same distance as race five, it was the turn of another recent licencee, Paul Swaby to register his second career success. Maiden three-year-old KEM (3-5) was partnered by Bebeto Harvey to score by two lengths and looks capable of improvement.
Run at 1820 metres, at the end of race seven — restricted to three-year-old maidens — champion and current leading conditioner Jason DaCosta was in the winners’ enclosure for the fourth time over the two-day race programme. On this occasion it was to meet his charge Life Is Life with Lewis aboard, having secured his third winning mount from seven rides on the card.
Confirmation of Allen’s second success came in the 900-metre ninth event, with maiden Blinkin Light (7-2) dashing clear by six lengths for trainer Gary Griffiths.
Thomas’s second of the day came aboard even-money favourite Yellowstone. The consistent four-year-old was posted by Alford Brown for a four-length outsprinting of 10 opponents over 1000 metres straight in the Overnight Allowance event.
The Training Feat Award is presented to Michael Beecham for presenting Zion’s Princess from a five-month rest and recuperation period and displaying the Best Winning Gallop. Kerry-Gayl Robinson gets the Jockeyship Award for his performance aboard Stanislaus which required composure and timing to score by a short head, with the third-place finisher in contention only half-length in arrears.
