TRIPLE Crown aspirant I Am Di One , in a performance which rejuvenated her quest to compete effectively in the 12-furlong Jamaica Derby, convincingly fended off rivals to win the $1-million top-rated, non-restricted Overnight Allowance event on the 10-race programme at Caymanas Park on Saturday, June 8. The Triple Crown is made up of the 1000/2000 Guineas, the Jamaica Derby, and the Jamaica St Leger — with I Am Di One already winning the 1000.

It was a steady yet tough gallop by I Am Di One, as the Anthony Nunes trainee won the nine-furlong and 25-yard (1,820 metres) encounter for three-year-olds and upwards by 2 ¼ lengths, in a respectable time of 1:58.3.

With champion jockey Anthony Thomas in the saddle, I Am Di One broke behind her stable companion Bruce Wayne with Bebeto Harvey doing the riding duties as a replacement for Robert Halledeen, as Thomas kept I Am Di One under a tight hold but took over proceedings just before entering the main track.

At no point in the race was I Am Di One able to relax, as long-shot Pakman (Romario Spencer) drew alongside with Uncle Vinnie (Kiaman McGregor) just on their heels as the field travelled down the backstretch.

Thomas then decided that enough was enough and, running the half mile (800m) turn, he started to push ahead on I Am Di One, but again the filly was not allowed to relax. Still she started to draw off approaching the final turn and while her acceleration was not all that powerful, she was able to hold herself in the final furlong to earn a deserved victory for her connections.

Stable companion Dontae, under Linton Steadman, came on strongly in deep stretch to get second place in a tight bunch, just ahead of Uncle Vinnie and Secret Traveller, the mount of Reyan Lewis, in that order.

It was the second winner on the day for Nunes as another of his possible Derby entrants, Princess Ava made light work of rivals in a Restricted Allowance event for three-year-old non-winners of two run, over 10 furlongs (1,200m).

Ridden by Lewis, Princess Ava beat stable companion Big Bang, ridden by Bebeto Harvey, again a replacement for Halledeen and won by 9 ½ lengths in a time of 2:10.0.

Princess Ava took over the running down the backstretch and pulled further and further away from rivals to show, once again, that she has a distinct preference for the longer distances — and the Derby (12-furlongs) is the longest race on the local racing calendar.

For trainer Nunes, the Derby prep races for his two fillies were sufficient at this time.

“Well, what really can I say? Truth be told, both I Am Di One and Princess Ava did what they were supposed to do in preparation for the Derby.

“The Guineas winner, I Am Di One, showed a lot of grit and determination as Pakman was pesky throughout, but I Am Di One did not give up and that alone is more than I can ask for at this time.

“ Princess Ava showed that she had improved since her run in early May in the 10-furlong Jamaica Oaks. She ( Princess Ava) just loves going long, and she is going to run well in the Derby.

“Right now I am very happy, as my horses did well,” Nunes offered.

Also with two winners on the day was apprentice Tevin Foster. The apprentice won aboard Uncle Wal in the third race for trainer Johnny Wilmot, and Willodeen in the sixth race for trainer Ryan Darby.

Interestingly, leading rider, the red-hot apprentice Christopher Mamdeen failed for the first time in quite a while to bring home a winner.

Racing continues next Saturday with the Jamaica Racing Commission’s Hall of Fame race meet.