The premier juvenile event each year, the Supreme Ventures-sponsored Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes — a Grade 1 event competed for over a mile (1,600m) — is as usual set for Boxing Day (December 26) at Caymanas Park.

There is added significance to this year’s renewal as the Anthony Nunes-trained unbeaten bay colt, Patriarch ( Casual Trick — Electrifying), seeks to become only the second youngster to win the two-year-old Triple Crown series of races, which consists of the Cash Pot ‘Only One For Me’ Trophy (six furlongs), the Pick-3 Challenge Trophy (seven furlongs) and the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes (eight furlongs). Only the filly Princess Popstar has won all three races before, after which she was voted as the Horse-of-the-Year.

Further, the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes could have a telling impact on the trainers’ race involving Nunes and champion Wayne DaCosta, as Nunes could get very close to DaCosta with one race day for the year left on December 30. At present, DaCosta leads by just over $5 million.

The 2017 edition of the Jamaica Two-Year-Olds Stakes has attracted eight runners with the main non-entry being the talented Another Vigorous from the shed-row of trainer Rowan Mathie. The Supreme Racing Guide understands that Another Vigorous is injured and is being given time by his connections to get himself together with an eye on the Classic races in 2018. Nonetheless, eight runners face starter Michael Simms, and it is going to be quite interesting to see how the event unfolds.

The following is an analysis of the chances of the eight entered for the 2017 Supreme Ventures Jamaica Two-Year-Stakes in post position order.

HOT ICE — This bay filly did well on December 9 when finishing third over a mile behind upset winner Granite and Royal Aviator. Owner, trainer and breeder Lorenzo Robinson, for the Boxing Day run, has decided to take off the blinkers, putting on the visor instead. For Hot Ice to win this one, she will have to come up with a much-improved performance. Hot Ice will not have a problem with the journey of a mile, but she is not ready for these.

GRANITE — Came from out of the clouds in the nick of time to score his maiden win on December 9, beating Royal Aviator and Hot Ice. Granite, a progeny of Natural Selection — Bella In Bloom, is the only horse in the Two-Year-Old Stakes to have already won over a mile. Based on his running pattern in his three races to date, Granite will be at his best in the final two-furlongs of this race. Granite, as with any horse in the race, has an outside shot of winning, but should be firmly held by the main principals with a place on the board being his best option come Boxing Day. Watch development of Granite closely, especially when the longer races come around in 2018.

MY BEIRUT — This bay colt by Adore The Gold – Jadore has been beaten over the course of his four-race career by all the leading starters in the race. My Beirut, while not without some talent, will have to produce the run of a lifetime to have a major shot in this juvenile race. Yet the race has to be run and, for sure, any number can play, but it would be a massive upset if My Beirut should win. Note trainer Richard Azan has decided to put on the tongue tie.

BRANDY — One of the better fillies around from this year’s crop of two-year-olds, but her task in this one is daunting to say the least. Brandy has been put in her place twice already by Patriarch, and then when she was expected to bring it home, there appeared Marquesas to spoil the party. The trip of a mile is right up Brandy’s street, but jockey Dane Nelson has to be patient in his race riding approach as Brandy seems to prefer coming from off the pace. Brandy ( He’stherealthing — Skittle Queen), while coming along fair well, is going to find the colts two hot to handle here with a place position being her best option. Look for Brandy to develop and grow by the time the fillies’ Classic races come around in 2018, but for now she will have to wait.

PATRIARCH — The class of the 2017 juveniles thus far, Patriarch has a record of four wins from four starts with stakes earning close to $5 million. Trainer Anthony Nunes has steadily brought his bay colt up the distance ladder for him to enter his major assignment of the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes well prepared and ready for Boxing Day. Patriarch first won over the five straight, then he moved up to six furlongs, then six and a half furlongs and finally seven furlongs. The journey of a mile (eight furlongs) will not cause a problem for Patriarch and with his exceptional tactical speed, he might well turn this race into a romp. Patriarch has been working very well in the mornings and enters Boxing Day with the chips heavily in his favour. If Patriarch should lose, it is going to be a massive upset in the making. Patriarch is special and is the clear choice to win and become only the second horse to win the two-year-old Triple Crown series of races, which is quite an accomplishment.

FAYROUZ — Nice chestnut filly from the Nunes camp. Fayrouz from three lifetime starts released the maiden tag on her last outing on December 2 when she got the batter of El Professor and Lici’s Pepsi. Even with the addition of the tongue tie for Boxing Day, Fayrouz is expected to come up short, especially since Brandy and Marquesas have already taken her ticket. However, she might surprise with the tongue tie now fitted. Expect an improved run but not a winning run from Fayrouz.

MARQUESAS — A very interesting entry. Marquesa’s racing history now stands at two wins from his four starts. This bay colt by Coded Warning — Islamorada has caught the eyes of many morning watchers and trainer Michael Marlowe was very pleased when on December 9, Marquesas was able to ‘fly’ over the last furlong of a six-furlong event to beat Brandy and Storm Born, literally in the glass. Since that glowing win, Marlowe has meticulously prepared his charge, who is now crisp and ready for the ultimate juvenile test. Marquesas is definitely one to keep within line of sight, but at level weights against Patriarch, it is going to be a very difficult task to conquer this one. Marquesas is one for the future.

COMMANDER TWO — In all his five races to date, Commander Two has played a prominent part, showing that he has the ability and is one who should be followed, especially with the new season close at hand. He broke his maiden in style on November 11 when winning by over 12 lengths, but was again humbled by Patriarch in a seven-furlong encounter. Commander Two might be challenged by the extra furlong of the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, but he will have a telling say, certainly in the first six furlongs of the event. When Commander Two last raced against Patriarch, it was as if he was settled on running second as the latter laid out and pulled away. Commander Two has done well thus far in his career, so let’s hope he can be effective on Boxing Day and provide a challenge of sorts for Patriarch.