Mahogany, the current top-rated horse in the country, will face the starter for the second time this season in what should be another coasting run in the $1.5-million The Viceroy Trophy (G1) feature race at Caymanas Park today.

The Viceroy Trophy, honouring one of the best thoroughbreds to ever race at the Park, is for three year olds and upward horses at the Open Allowance/Graded Stakes level going over the distance of one mile (1,600m).

Mahogany opened his 2023 account with a 2½-length win in the Eileen Cliggott Memorial Cup over six and a half furlongs (1,300m) on February 4. The Ian Parsard trainee sat behind the pace for most of the way before producing his winning run in deep stretch, showing his versatility that he has speed and can come from behind as well.

Mahogany should find this trip of one mile well within his reach, as evidenced by his 4½-length win in the Ian Levy Cup over eight and a half furlongs (1,700m) on December 31 of last year which was instrumental in him becoming the first runner-up to Horse of the Year Atomica, winner of last year’s Jamaica Derby, 1000 Guineas, and the Jamaica Cup.

If he can reproduce a similar effort, then Mahogany should easily win this race despite toting a top weight of 57.0kgs (126 lb). Champion jockey Dane Dawkins, who was aboard Mahogany for his wins in the Ian Levy Cup and Eileen Cliggott Memorial Cup, will again be in the saddle in search of three consecutive victories on the trot.

The Viceroy is positioned as the seventh event on the 10-race card with a post time of 3:25 pm. First race is at 11:45 pm.

Mahogany has worked brilliantly coming into this race, having galloped out of the chute at a mile in 1:46.2 with the last seven furlongs (1,400m) coming in 1:31.0. This suggested that the Sensational Slam – Mete-Orite progeny is in tip-top shape and it will take something special from his other five opponents to deny him another trophy race.

Jason DaCosta’s pair of King Arthur and American-bred I Am Fred, along with Gary Subratie’s trained Calculus, appeared to be the likely ones to really have a say in the outcome of the race. Subratie’s other runner Sistren Treasure and Positive ID, from the barn of Michael Marlowe, both have no realistic chances of winning this race, and both should be left behind.

King Arthur, a former Jamaica Derby winner, is slowly rounding into form with his last two outings being fourth-place finishes. The six-year-old bay gelding finished fourth by 8 lengths behind I Am Fred in the Saint Cecelia Cup over six and a half furlongs on April 8 and should once again give his best, and will surely make his presence felt without winning.

I Am Fred, bred by Golden Lad–Happy Hailey, is slowly but surely working his way to the top. I Am Fred completed his second-consecutive win this season from as many starts with an impressive effort in the Saint Cecelia Cup. I Am Fred won by 2 ½ lengths in a time of 1:18.2, one full second faster than the time of 1:19.2 done by Mahogany in his Eileen Cliggott romp. I Am Fred, a versatile sort who should appreciate this extended trip, and could cause some problems for the favourite.

Calculus is the current champion stayer who seeks his second-consecutive win here. The five-year-old bay horse was successful on his seasonal debut on February 25 when he won the Miracle Man Cup at nine and a half furlongs (1,900m). Calculus packs enough class to get one over Mahogany, but he has to make every step right.

Also on tap is the $1.02-million Simply Magic Cup, a Restricted Allowance II event for native-bred three year olds (non-winners of two) and imported three year olds and upward (maidens) over one mile. The leading contenders for the race are Rhythm Buzz, Burning Valor, Secret Admiral, All For Love, and Show Girl.

Ones to watch:

Race 1) Ridewiththemob/My Smokey/Matriarch

Race 2) Anchorman/Jungle Boggie/Tigray Express

Race 3) Dodge This Link/XY Soul/Devonte’

Race 4) Tekapunt/KP Choice/Rainsville

Race 5) Divine Force/Inspire Force/Platinum Force

Race 6) Kwaku/Sensational Ending/Ruds D Indian

Race 7) Mahogany/I Am Fred/Calculus

Race 8) Slam Dunk/Hail De Admiral/James

Race 9) Secret Admiral/Burning Valor/Rhythm Buzz

Race 10) Answer My Prayers/Digital Light/City Hawk