SATURDAY, May 6, 2023 will undoubtedly be a day in horse racing history for Jason DaCosta as the current champion trainer joined a limited group of conditioners to saddle five winners on a single race card at Caymanas Park.

DaCosta’s successes included Thalita, who won The Portmore main event over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m). The $3-million Portmore was the final stop on the “Road to the Triple” for native-bred three-year-old fillies.

Ridden by champion jockey Dane Dawkins, Thalita, who sat in mid-pack for most of the way, came with a strong run on the inside rails in deep stretch to win the Graded Stakes contest, going away by five lengths ahead of stablemate and long-time leader Mamma Mia (Phillip Parchment) and Aria’s Reign (Raddesh Roman).

Mamma Mia showed runners the way from the off and held the lead just ahead of Bootylicous (Reyan Lewis) and Durocell (Bebeto Harvey). Thalita found some momentum when she slipped down into third place behind Mamma Mia and Bootylicous approaching the distance.

Turning for home, Thalita was squeezed for space between the leaders but found racing room on the inside rails, carrying her gallop through for an easy win at the wire — her first for the season from two starts and third over from eight starts.

Thalita won the race in a time of 1:34.2 (23.2 x 46.4 x 1:12.2). Race favouirte and previously unbeaten Bootylicious finished in a disappointing fifth place.

For DaCosta’s other four winners he teamed up with current leading rider Reyan Lewis. They won the $1.5-million Lady Geeta Trophy secondary feature with five-year-old chestnut mare She’s My Destiny.

She’s My Destiny led from start to finish in a dominating, four-length win in the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over six furlongs (1,200m). The speedster defeated stablemate Madelyn’s Sunshine (Dawkins) and Unruly Boss (Tevin Foster) in a time of 1:13.1 (23.0 x 46.4).

DaCosta’s and Lewis’s other winners were Wayne’s Princess in the day’s opening event, Sensational Ending in the very next race, and Sunset Silhoutte in the 10th and final event.

Racing continues today with another 10-race programme. The feature race is The Kington, a Graded Stakes contest for native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings over seven and a half furlongs.