KINGSTON, Jamaica - FIRST run in 1975, this 47th renewal of the Jamaica 1000 Guineas attracted a field of 12 including Mamma Mia (Pick3 winner), Thalita (The Portmore winner), and Bootylicious (Thornbird Stakes winner), with the distinction of sharing the Juvenile and the second season Classic preparation Futurities between them. This, the opening Classic of the 2023 racing year, did not raise any questions as to which filles are the most forward at this stage of the season.
Mamma Mia (6-1), one of six declarations from champion and leading trainer Jason DaCosta’s barn, reserved her career-best effort for this occasion. Ridden by Phillip Parchment, the pacy daughter of Soul Warrior raced in the front rank, sharing the headlines with the other principals. Bootylicious (5th) had her stamina limitations exposed and so too the remainder, excepting 1-2 favourite Thalita (champion Dane Dawkins) who challenged Mamma Mia with 800 metres to come.
Approaching the home straight 500 metres out, a literal match developed between the leading DaCosta-conditioned contenders. Both Mamma Mia and Thalita stayed on strongly under the pressure but Parchment’s skills plus the improved stamina of the former gave her the ascendancy by a couple lengths over the latter.
Both Mamma Mia and Thalita are owned by champion and leading owner Carlton Watson. Gahly Gahly Links (Paul Francis) and She’s Myhedgefund (Mario Chong), from the high-powered DaCosta outfit, finished fourth and sixth, respectively, while 14 lengths behind in third was All For Love (14-1) partnered by former six-time champion Omar Walker.
Half an hour earlier in the 1820-metre race seven of nine, DaCosta saddled the first three to finish. Leading reinsman Reyan Lewis persuaded even-money favourite I Am Fred (USA) to victory by three parts of a length over stablemate King Arthur (7-1), with Miniature Man (25-1) third of the seven starters. DaCosta had a third trip to the winners’ enclosure with maiden She’s A Mirage (4-1), ridden by Anthony Allen, who scored in the 1100-metre nightcap.
In the day’s opener run at 800 metres, four-kilo claimer Richard Byrd enjoyed his first career success by partnering 1-9 favourite Contractor for trainer Ryan Williams while in the second, contested over 1820 metres, Oneil Scott rode 3-5 favourite Prissie to victory for conditioner Alford Brown.
It was 9-2 against Sir John in race three but under the reins of Youville Pinnock he delivered a fairly hard-fought, two-length victory for trainer Gary Griffiths.
In form trainer Ryan Darby saddled his first of a double on the day with two-kilogramme claimer Matthew Bennett, double on the day as well, aboard Sir Kel (9-5) securing the 1000-metre-straight race four.
Darby’s second was confirmed in style in race six, with 9-1 shot Salud (Paul Francis) 10 lengths in front at the end of that 1200-metre gallop. For his second, Bennett rode March And Shoot (4-5) to a six-length advantage in the 1820-metre race five for recently licenced Captain Marlon Brown’s second career training success.
The Training Feat Award is presented to Jason DaCosta for the planning and execution of his successes, especially with Mamma Mia’s display of speed, courage and stamina for the unquestionably Best Winning Gallop. Once again Phillip Parchment takes another Jockeyship Award in demonstrating aboard Mamma Mia that he is a top performer when given the opportunity.
