KINGSTON, Jamaica – The race for the 2021 trainers’ title is by far the most compelling race track event or activity at present.
Champion Anthony Nunes and Jason DaCosta are engaged in what can only be described as a titanic struggle for top honours.
The lead in the championship contest has been toing and froing between the two conditioners for the last two months or so, with none, thus far, being able to establish a lead amount that will guarantee winning this much sought-after prize.
The last two race days (Saturday, November 27, and Sunday, November 28) encapsulated the closeness of the race taking place between Nunes and DaCosta.
Nunes started the Saturday card with earnings according to official figures totalling $51,445,290; DaCosta's tally was $49,549,055 – a lead of $1,896,235 for Nunes.
When the Saturday meet came to a close, Nunes’ advantage had whittled down to $184, 985, again according to official figures.
This major reduction in Nunes’ lead was occasioned by DaCosta winning three races with Uncle Frank, Super Duper, and Tradition. Nunes was winless on the day. Of course, the two had in the money finishes which added to their respective tallies.
Below is THE QUICK GALLOPER’S table of earnings, not the official table, of the Saturday earnings by Nunes and DaCosta, based on earning figures published in the official race book.
| NUNES | DACOSTA | ||||||||
| Race # | Horses | Positions | Earnings | Race # | Horses | Positions | Earnings | ||
| 1 | Smarty Tradition | Second | $109,200 | 2 | Adore Brilliance | Third | $68,250 | ||
| 5 | Hoist The Mast | Second | $169,250 | 4 | Uncle Frank | First | $491,400 | ||
| 7 | Further and Beyond | Second | $209,300 | 5 | Super Duper | First | $507,750 | ||
| 7 | Oneofakind | Fifth | $31,300 | 6 | Tradition | First | 376,750 | ||
| 8 | Paraiso | Fifth | $23,750 | 7 | Lure of Lucy | Fourth | 52,300 | ||
| 7 | Eagle One | Sixth | $21,000 | ||||||
| 8 | Love Craft | Sixth | $15,850 | ||||||
| 9 | Tekapunt | Second | $665,200 | ||||||
| 9 | Deezi | Sixth | $65,550 | ||||||
| Total | $542,800 | Total | $2,264,050 |
Based on the table above, DaCosta gained a total of $1,721,250 on Nunes (2,264,050 - $542,800).
While DaCosta obviously benefitted from his three winners, the second-place finish by Tekapunt in the Pick 3 Trophy event of $665,200, was crucial as it was more than the amount brought home by any of his winners.
Then came Sunday with as aforementioned, Nunes having a lead of $184,985.
The result was two wins for DaCosta and none again for Nunes, plus the usual in the money finishes.
Below is THE QUICK GALLOPER’S table of earnings, not the official table, of the Sunday earnings by Nunes and DaCosta, based on earning figures published in the official race book.
| NUNES | DACOSTA | |||||||
| Race # | Horses | Positions | Earnings | Race # | Horses | Positions | Earnings | |
| 3 | Wowza | Sixth | $16,400 | 3 | Luksol | Fourth | $40,950 | |
| 6 | Acero | Second | $136,500 | 5 | Morse Code | Second | $158,350 | |
| 9 | Go Deh Girl | Third | $91,000 | 6 | Gentle Giant | Fifth | $20,450 | |
| 8 | Drummer Boy | First | $393,100 | |||||
| 10 | Sudden Flight | First | $491,400 | |||||
| 10 | Baton Rouge | Fifth | $24,550 | |||||
| Total | $243,900 | Total | $1,128,800 |
At end of Sunday’s 10-race card, DaCosta had gained an additional sum of $884,900 ($1,128, 800 - $243,900).
So now what is the final tally after the two days of racing?
THE QUICK GALLOPER based on his calculations (again not the official figures) has DaCosta leading by approximately (not official figures) $699, 915.
| FINAL TALLY | |||
| NUNES | DACOSTA | ||
| Saturday final total | $51,988,090 | $51,803,105 | |
| Sunday earnings | $243,900 | $1,128,800 | |
| Total after the 2 days | $52,231,990 | $52,931,905 |
Surely, it will be a December to remember for racing fans!
