SEEKING My Dream under the guidance of Omar Walker, trainer Wayne DaCosta and groom Linval ‘Pickins’ McFarlane won the Cal’s Jamaica Derby at Caymanas Park on Saturday. It was an easy win for the Seeking The Glory – Alsafra offspring who won by four and a half lengths over Ali Baba, with Kronus third.

The Complete Racing Guide analyses the full results of the 2015 Cal’s Jamaica Derby.

FIRST: Seeking My Dream – Continued with his customary habit of running second, then winning. It was truly a tremendous run by Seeking My Dream as after hitting the front leaving the three-furlong marker he was never in danger of losing.

Trainer Wayne DaCosta and groom Linval McFarlane must be congratulated for not only winning the Derby but also for dealing with a ‘problem’ faced by Seeking My Dream. In the Lotto Classic run three weeks before the Derby, it was obvious that Seeking My Dream was not maintaining his gallop in the straight with a tendency to veer off a straight course.

The chestnut was having problems dealing with the noise coming from the crowd when he entered the straight, and thereafter his ears were plugged for exercise gallops and the Derby. The prescription seemed to have worked, as Seeking My Dream was a dominant winner of the 95th Jamaica Derby.A good horse in the making.

SECOND: Ali Baba – No human can fault the run in the Derby by Ali Baba. He was nicely settled close to the leaders by jockey Robert Halledeen, and when asked to go he responded well and came in the straight locked with stable companion Seeking My Dream before the latter outpaced him.

Ali Baba seems better suited to 10 furlongs, as he couldn’t cope with the extra two furlongs of the Derby. We now await the St Leger in early July (10 furlongs) for another instalment of the duel with Seeking My Dream. Destined for ‘A’ Class but just falling short in the Derby. He was not disgraced.

THIRD: Kronus – Ran true to form without ever threatening the top two. The anticipated final flurry in the latter stages of the race did not materialise, finishing 11 lengths behind the top two. Kronus is yet to realise his full potential, but on Saturday he was no match for either Seeking My Dream or Ali Baba.

FOURTH: Original Train – Ran his heart out under good guidance from Winston Griffiths. Will develop and grow.

FIFTH: Superluminal – A really good run from Superluminal despite a rather poor ride. Superluminal raced so wide for almost the entire 12 furlongs of the Derby, one has to wonder if he would not have challenged for a higher position. Sealed fourth and fifth positions for ‘hot’ trainer Harry Parsard. Superluminal is only going to get better. A good performance after literally running 12 and a half furlongs.

SIXTH: Poker Star – Was around from the start but lacked venom to challenge 12 furlongs was just too long. Will be much more effective in the future up to a mile.

SEVENTH: Southern Cruise – Simply did not deliver with even a minor share in the offing.

EIGHTH: Computerize – Out of his depth, but a good finish nonetheless.

NINTH: Berranca – The first of the three fillies in the Derby at the finish.

TENTH: Siempre Bueno – Will do much better in the future, especially when sprinting.

ELEVENTH: – Turbo Machine Cat – The turbos were off in the Derby.

TWELFTH: Puddy Pooh – 1000 Guineas winner was in close touch from the off and took over the lead at one stage in an obvious effort to maintain a faster pace with the run-on qualities of stable companion, Kronus, in mind. Shows the difference between the colts and fillies.

THIRTEENTH: Road Wi Seh – As expected, was among the early leaders but after five, six furlongs, the road became very bumpy.

FOURTEENTH: Bongo King – Showed up early and that was all he had to contribute. Merlin – did not finish.