THE GALLOPER’S QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE 2022 GOLD CUP

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The QUICK GALLOPER offers an assessment of the 2022 edition of the seven-furlong Gold Cup.

The assessment published below is done in the order the eight participants finished.

FIRST: MAHOGANY - Proved beyond a doubt that he is the top-rated horse currently in training at this time. Mahogany’s three-lengths runaway also proved the handicappers correct despite the protestations of his connections against the handicaps. That aside, Mahogany was racing over what is possibly the ideal trip for him, plus he benefitted from superb handling from Reyan Lewis, who is slowly matriculating into a big race jockey. Lewis did not allow Mahogany to be his usual self, that is, running at breakneck speed, instead the young reinsman waited, demonstrating his patience, before using the superior pace of his mount from about three furlongs to win convincingly in the end. With a first and third-place finish in the Gold Cup, trainer Ian Parsard holds the handle in the major races left in this racing season.

SECOND: RUNAWAY ALGO – It has to be remembered that Runaway Algo, a foreigne, is a three-year-old, one of only two of the present three-year-old cohort to actually race in the top class. Runaway Algo, shifted from his usual front running style, by staying behind the pace-setting ‘rabbits’ but could not handle the increase in tempo by Mahogany. This was a worthy performance by Runaway Algo.

THIRD: I AM FRED – Stayed way off the leaders, then ran by tired horses in the straight to pay for his keep for another month or so. Was never a real factor.

FOURTH: JORDON REIGN’S – Was never in the running after having some navigation issues coming from the one draw. This run is being considered an aberration by THE QUICK GALLOPER. He will rise again.

FIFTY: ATOMICA – The talk has already started berating the performance of Atomica morseso her rider Dane Dawkins. Let’s get some facts together. One, Atomica was rubbing hoofs with the ‘big boys’ for the first occasion, meeting raw pace; two, Atomica is coming off a long and hard Classic campaign; 3)  the form of most fillies tends to taper off during the latter part of the racing year; and four, Atomica did not benefit from a clear run. She was blocked twice, leading to a troubled passage. It is usual after such a below-par effort from a classy horse as Atomica to pile the pressure on the rider. Let’s, however, wait, and think with an open mind before judgement is passed.

SIXTH: SHE’S MY DESTINY – Did her work as a rabbit well. She’s My Destiny will win in this grade.

SEVENTH: RACE CAR – Was never a winning factor throughout.

EIGHTH: SHE’S A WONDER – Did her work on the headlines for stable companions. It is becoming clear that She’s A Wonder will be heading towards the breeding shed in quick time.