It is I shot to the front passing the 50 metres mark and held off a strong challenge by a charging Ministerofjustice along the rails to win the 68th running of the Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup in a driving finish at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Carrying 50.0kg and Carlton Malcolm, It Is I ran 2,000 metres in 2:10.1 to win by a neck and open her winning account after four starts this season.

Jockey Carlton Malcolm pilots It Is I (foreground) to victory over Ministerofjustice (partially hidden) during the Lotto Classic feature for the Governor's Cup at Caymanas Park yesterday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

The victory presented her trainer Anthony Nunes with his third training success in the event for owner Elias Haloute. Nunes previously saddled Terremoto in 1998 and Il Caimano last year.

The day also belonged to Nunes, who saddled his first four-timer for the season all for Haloute.

His other winners for Haloute were Flagaman who also upset in the $600,000 War Zone Trophy opener at odds of 5-1; Smile Out in the fourth race and Working Image a smart looking debutant in the seventh race.

It Is I, who finished second in both the Jamaica 1,000 Guineas and the Jamaica Oaks and had gone the distance before made amends from a critical move approaching the 800 metres marker, and when they set down for the drive was within striking distance of the leader Commander Zero with Good Hope on the rails.

She began to lengthen her strides and dismissed Commander Zero but after this had to work hard to hold off Ministerofjustice who was catching her with every stride along the rails with Richard Mitchell astride.

Commander Zero finished third under Dane Nelson while Leonidas who disputed the lead with stablemate Honey Bunny and then Josie Wales was fourth.

"While I am pleased with the win, the time was not a decent one and I may not run her in the Derby as she has had a lot of racing in a short period," Nunes said.

Even with the Commander Zero in the field rider Malcolm had no fear of losing: "I knew Commander Zero is going to stop so all I did was to just bide my time and go on from there and get the job done."

It Is I, a bay filly by Footloose 11 out of Private Number (Wise Emissary), is bred by Henry W Jaghai. It was her second win from 10 career starts and she pocketed $1,350,000 as the winner's share for earnings of $3,233,550 lifetime.

Meanwhile, Brian Harding and Shane Ellis shared the day's riding honours with three wins each.

Executive Class

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Necessary Luxury