AFTER finishing three lengths second behind Princess Annie in the Jamaica Oaks on May 4, the Anthony Nunes-conditioned Princess Ava returned for her Boom Jamaica Derby prep race in a Restricted Allowance event on Saturday last, June 8.

Going 10 furlongs (2,000m) as she did in the Jamaica Oaks, Princess Ava ( Mine over Matter – Exotic Selection) slammed rivals by 9 ½ lengths, going away after picking up the running from as early as the half-mile (800m).

It was a much-improved run when compared with her Oaks performance. Princess Ava (Reyan Lewis) after clocking splits of 23.4, 51.2, 1:17.0 and 1:42.3, stopped the clock at 2:10.0 compared to the 2:14.0 she timed in the Oaks.

The event was the perfect preparation race for Princess Ava, especially given her race execution, thereby firmly fixing Nunes’ eyes on the Boom Jamaica Derby which is scheduled for June 29 over 12 furlongs (2,400m).

“I ask him (Reyan Lewis) to get her into a nice and easy rhythm and hopefully she could have won like this and so if she is alright, coming out of the race, we can give her a shot in the Derby.

“We wanted that type of ride where she was nicely relaxed and well within herself. When he asked her to go, she went,” Nunes said.

Commenting on the improvement of her times going 10 furlongs, Nunes was still cautious.

“ Princess Ava has ways to go to be running against colts like Supreme Soul, Sentient and horses like that, but she can only beat who she is running against, she stays the trip and we are very confident with her going 12 furlongs; we see how it pans out in the next three weeks,” said Nunes.

Princess Ava ran in second place behind Dyna’s Pride (Raddesh Roman), who flashed through to a commanding 10 lengths lead.

Entering the main track, Dyna’s Pride continued to extend the lead but was soon caught up with at the 5 furlong (1,000m) and surrendered tamely to Princess Ava.

Stable companion Big Bang (Bebeto Harvey) came from the back of the pack to finish second ahead of Berry Boy (Christopher Mamdeen).