MOJITO, in another eye-catching display, easily brushed aside rivals to the $4-million Supreme Ventures Limited Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes (Grade One) feature contest over one mile (1,600m) at Caymanas Park on Tuesday.

Mojito (Savoy stomp—Fiftyshadesofray), trained by hall of famer Richard Azan and ridden by current leading jockey Dane Dawkins, took the lead from four furlongs (800 meters) out and won the native-bred two-year-old Futurity race by three lengths in 1:41.1. Mojito’s victory cemented his claim as the top juvenile for the season and also gave Dawkins his 100th win for the year.

It was an even break for most of the runners in the nine-horse field following the scratch of She’s Myhedgefund as Mamma Mia (Robert Halledeen) surged to the front and held the lead down the backstretch ahead of Burlap (Anthony Thomas) and Mojito, with Thalita (Omar Walker) close behind.

Dawkins let loose the notch a bit and Mojito surpassed the others to surge into the lead going into the half-mile (800m) turn as he began to increase his lead with every stride. Mojito turned for home with a healthy lead and kept up his work to the line, winning quite easily in the end ahead of Legit Boss (Tevin Foster) and Mamma Mia who had dead-heated for second place. Splits were 23.4 x 46.4 x 1:11.2.

“I got a break at the start and from there I just restraining him [Mojito] all the way to the five-furlong marker before asking him to take it up a little on the running — and he responded well.” After taking the lead I took another hold on him and asked for everything, and that was that,” Dawkins said.

It was also the second winner on the card for both Azan and Dawkins. Azan had saddled Perfect Brew in the very next race, the $1.14-million “Acropolis Online” Trophy, a Non-Restricted Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward. Perfect Brew, ridden by Tevin Foster, won by 7½ lengths in a time of 1:19.0. Dawkins’ other winner was Sensational Satin in the third race for trainer Vincent Atkinson.

Also with two winners on the nine-race card was jockey Reyan Lewis. Lewis won aboard ZD Eye for trainer Michael Marlowe in the fourth race and aboard Airstream in the very next race for trainer Gresford Smith, who had celebrated one of many birthdays.

Racing continues on new year’s weekend with races on Saturday and Monday.

– Ruddy Allen