KINGSTON, Jamaica – The race day of Saturday, October 16, 2021, was highlighted by the performance of the evergreen Hover Craft in the Mark My Word Trophy (Open Allowance – nine furlongs and 25 yards).
THE HORSES
At 11-years, Hover Craft epitomises the strength and resilience of a special thoroughbred. In winning the Mark My Word, Hover Craft was racing for the 136th occasion racking up 21 victories, 17-second place finishes, and 28 third-place results. After his latest victory, Hover Craft has career earnings of just under $21 million.
He is a credit to his trainer of eight years, Wayne DaCosta, and now his successor Jason DaCosta.
Apart from the stellar performance of Hover Craft, the 2021 Mark My Word Trophy had other lessons.
The 2021 Jamaica Derby and Jamaica St Leger winner Calculus racing for the second time against older horses was again a no show. Calculus, a lover of two turns, is having a hard time dealing with the pace and class of rivals at the Open Allowance level. Calculus needs more time to assimilate the rugged way of life at the top of the totem pole.
The return of Oneofakind in the Mark My Word was lukewarm. He was prominent behind the leaders down the backstretch, made a move along with Hover Craft with 3 ½ furlongs left in the contest. In the straight, Oneofakind lacked the push necessary, thereby fading out of contention.
This was Oneofakind’s first run in over 100 days, and based on his latest effort needs time to revive his career.
THE JOCKEYS
Dick Cardenas landed a double (Cataba and Alexa’s Lodge), to cement his recent surge and was the leading rider on the day.
The best ride though was probably achieved by Ruja Lahoe, who after being slowly out on the Randolph Scott trained Justsaytheword, gently weaved his way through the pack, and even after being hampered in the stretch found a way to the winning post in the last hop.
THE PUNTERS
One punter became a millionaire after correctly finding all winners in the Pick -5 series. This punter with the single-winner bonus intact carried home the handy amount of $1,754,252.50.
