With the prestigious, two-turn Jamaica Oaks looming on Saturday, August 1, trainer Anthony Nunes couldn't have scripted a better dress rehearsal for his promising filly, Tia Maria.
Stepping up to the plate in the Simply Magic Cup on Saturday, July 11, the three-year-old chestnut daughter of Bold Conquest — Zacapa delivered a performance in patience and stamina. She cruised to a dominant -length victory in the 9-furlong and 25-yard event, stopping the clock in a solid 1:56.2.
The Restricted Allowance II contest, carved out for native-bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) and imported maidens, unfolded exactly as Nunes would have hoped for a classic contender.
Under a cool, calculated ride by jockey Tajay Suckoo, Tia Maria was content to settle in mid-pack early. Up front, Minnehaha (Raddesh Roman) set the tempo, leading For My Love (Joy Haynes) and Rockhampton (Omar Walker) through a sensible opening quarter of 25.2 and a half-mile of 49.0.
Suckoo kept Tia Maria under wraps down the backstretch as the fractions ticked away ( for the six-furlong mark). As they approached the crucial half-mile pole, Suckoo gave the signal. Tia Maria responded instantly, launching a sweeping bid around the far turn to eye down the leader.
By the time they reached the stretch ( for the mile), Tia Maria was breathing down Minnehaha’s neck. With an effortless gear change in deep stretch, the chestnut filly surged ahead to win comfortably. Minnehaha stayed on gamely for second, while Gulfstream Cat (Chalrick Budhai) rallied to secure third.
With this flawless two-turn victory under her belt, Tia Maria has not just warmed up for the Oaks, she has officially put her rivals on notice.
