Mark My Word, a 16-1 chance, upset the 2-5 favourite Lifeisjustforliving in the 36th running of the $3.6 million Jamaica 2,000 Guineas for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings by four and three quarters lengths, while earlier Al Fouzia, the 9-5 second favourite, outlasted 6-5 favourite Gabiwitzo to win the fillies 1,000 Guineas by one and a quarter lengths at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Mark My Word, turning for home against the rails, motored into the lead under Panamanian jockey Dick Cardens to come away from the longtime leader to present trainer Richard Azan with his third 2,000 Guineas success and Cardenas his first. Mark My Word was winning his second race for the season in the 11-horse field for Native-bred Futurity Grade One colts and geldings. He ran 1,600 metres in a time of 1:40.0.

Lifeisjustforliving, ridden by Omar Walker, failed to stay the trip. He, however, led for a long way pressured by a cheap speed 45-1 Heartofachampion partnered by Ramon Parish, but found nil in the drive when Mark My Word came calling along the rails and gave up the lead entering the final 200 metres, but had done enough to hold on for second money by a neck over the 27-1 shot Junior Minister who came from last to be third with Shane Ellis in the saddle.

Owned by Elite Bloodstock, Mark My Word, a chestnut colt by Market Rally out of Miss Chestnut (Horse Chest Nut), was bred at Ham Stables Ltd. It was his third win from six career starts and he earned $1,944,000 as the winner’s share for earnings of $2,784,840 lifetime.

Al Fouzia, ridden by Dane Nelson, ran 1,600 metres in 1:42.1 in the 13-horse field to rebound in the 13-horse field for native-bred three-year-old fillies after floundering in the Guineas Trial Stakes where her conqueror was none other than Gabiwitzo.

Gabiwitzo, challenged strongly in the deep stretch under Andrew Ramgeet, but had to settle for second money with Excellence ridden by Richard Mitchell finishing third and Regal Sensation completing the frame partnered by Shane Ellis at 7-1.

Trained by Rohan Mathie for owners Farasfhal Farm, Al Fouzia a bay filly by Legal Process out of Lady Bakul (Levir Stand) and bred by Henry Jaghai, was winning for the third time from 10 career starts and she earned $1,944,000 as the winner’s share for earnings of $5,197,000 lifetime.