KINGSTON, Jamaica – What a finish! What a race!
The 2021 edition of the 12-furlong Jamaica Derby, the Blue Riband event provided racing fans with all they could ever want and more from a competitive gathering of thoroughbred horses.
In a fight to the death, Calculus prevailed over the surpriser Billy Whizz and Further and Beyond.
Calculus’ victory on the day can be credited to the mastery in the pigskin of Shane Ellis. Ellis in winning his sixth Jamaica Derby displayed a level of skill that only he possesses at this time among the present lot of jockeys especially when two turns are involved.
Early in the race Calculus was crowded on the rails and had a rough time getting settled. Down the backstretch, Ellis and Calculus were the beneficiaries of some luck as the leader (s) at that time did not claim the run on the rails, thereby allowing Calculus an unmolested passage.
Entering the straight, Calculus was fourth as Big Jule, Billy Whizz, and Further and Beyond locked horns, yet, somehow, Ellis got Calculus to respond and please look at the change of hold by Ellis when he was about to split horses to get the win in the final surge.
For the trainer of Calculus, Gary Subratie, it was truly a day to remember. He came close last year with Nipster and Another Affair (second and third) but this time the stars aligned for him plus he had the right jockey. Subratie’s Classic race cabinet is one shy of being completed as he has won the 1000 Guineas, the 2000 Guineas, the St Leger, and now the Derby leaving the Jamaica Oaks as the only Classic race left for him to conquer.
Jamaica has become a happy hunting ground for the owner of Calculus Trinidadian Chevan Maharaj who was reaping his second Derby success in the last three years. It was Maharaj’s Supreme Soul trained by champion Anthony Nunes who won the Triple Crown in 2019. Two Derby victories in three years are nothing to scoff at.
Whither Calculus? Calculus next time out will be at the Open Allowance level against older horses. It is left to be seen whether Calculus will be able to effectively manage rivals in this grade but with not much around and given the improvement he will naturally make he will be a factor especially going around the bend twice. The only issue here is that there are not many two-turns races on the calendar with mainly the nine furlongs and 25 yards route popping up now and again.
Billy Whizz gave it his all and lost by a neck. Credit here must be given to his trainer Jason DaCosta who was participating in the Derby for the first time in his career and jockey Dick Cardenas.
Cardenas rode a patient race throughout conserving as much energy as he could on Billy Whizz for that final drive.
Further and Beyond, the champion two-year-old of last season did everything he could under guidance from Dane Nelson. Further and Beyond has been the consistent force in the Classic races; finishing third in the 2000 Guineas, second in the St Leger, and third in the Derby.
Big Jule, lacking in racing experience did well to finish fourth and if he remains in tact will be one to follow.
The hope now is for the best plus others of the 2021 cohort of three-year-olds can improve sufficiently to campaign effectively in the higher grades.
