KINGSTON, Jamaica – The 2023 Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes has ten runners entered in this one-mile contest set for Tuesday, December 26 (Boxing Day).
Of those ten, anyone can find success as no clear leader has been established in what has been a lukewarm juvenile season.
The Quick Galloper will attempt to assess the chances of the ten, done in post-position order.
1 – ROSETTA is a roan filly (April 6) by Bold Conquest out of Khadiliah, trained by Jason DaCosta with Trevor Simpson aboard. ROSETTA is the only maiden in this event but has shown potential for long distances. The roan filly may have a real shot at winning and should be considered in exacta, quinella, and trifecta wagers.
2 – COMEHOMETOME is a bay filly (January 29) by Northern Giant out of Heart of Gold, trained by Jason DaCosta with Reyan Lewis riding. Note, Comehometome races with the tongue tie off. Ran way below par on November 25 (7 furlongs), A quick change around is not anticipated.
3 – LUCY IN THE SKY is a bay filly (March 23) by Liquidity out of Tap A Bay Yankee, trained by Jason DaCosta with Roger Hewitt holding the reins. Merely filling a spot.
4 – BUTTERCUP is a bay filly (February 2) by Conquest Cherimash out of Shahar, trained by Richard Azan with Tevin Foster in the saddle. BUTTERCUP displayed strong long-distance prowess when winning at seven furlongs and should relish the extra distance, likely placing among the top finishers.
5 – MATUSO is a bay colt (April 7) by Casual Trick out of Puddy Pooh, trained by Richard Azan with Bebeto Harvey aboard. Beaten by stablemate Buttercup on November 19 at seven furlongs. Returned to win over a mile on December 16. With those two efforts under his belt, Matuso has to be given a credible chance in this one.
6 – INTRESTNTIMESAHEAD is a bay colt (February 8) by Bold Conquest out of My Friend Lucy, trained by Jason DaCosta with Phillip Parchment riding. Can be safely ruled out.
7 – FASTNFURIOUSLINKS is a roan filly (February 15) by Casual Trick out of Another Fury, trained by Jason DaCosta with Javaniel Patterson holding the reins. Has been slowly improving but might find eight furlongs testing at this time, yet he cannot be discarded from serious consideration.
8 – BANADURA is a bay filly (March 21) by Casual Trick out of Esperanza, trained by Jason DaCosta with Robert Halledeen in the saddle. Note, Banadura races with first-time Lasix. After winning the first two-year-old race of the season on August 1, Banadura did race again until October 7, when finishing second, 2 ½ lengths behind her more accomplished stablemate foreigner Digital One at 5 ½ furlongs. On Boxing Day, Banadura stretches to a mile and will be found wanting.
9 – MS CHERRY is a bay filly (March 13) by Sensational Slam out of Fiftyshadesofray, trained by Richard Azan with Dane Dawkins riding. Ms Cherry races with first time Lasix. Ms Cherry is seeking to accomplish what her half-brother Mojito did in 2022, and that is to win the Two-Year-Old Stakes. Has been prepared with this main objective in mind. Ms Cherry is packed with class and will have a say in the outcome.
10 – RUN JULIE RUN is a grey filly (May 6) by Successful Native out of Runaway Julie, trained by Ian Parsard with Omar Walker holding the reins. Cannot manage these at a mile.
