Wonderful feeling winning the St Leger — owner Carlton Watson
Despite the presence of the talented favourite Mojito, owner Carlton Watson expressed confidence that filly Thalita would win the second leg of the Triple Crown series of races and give him his first victory in the Jamaica St Leger.
Thalita, handled by champion conditioner Jason DaCosta, came from behind rivals in an exciting stretch run to win the Futurity event for native-bred three-year-olds by a six-length margin in what was arguably her best performance to date.
Thalita (Soul Warrior–Luminous Trieste), covered the 10-furlong (2,000m) trip in a time of 2:11.0 (24.1 x 51.1 x 1:15.4 x 1:41.4). Money Miser (Tevin Foster) was second and Princess Sharon (Youville Pinnock) finished third.
“The feeling is just fantastic. We knew that she had to beat Mojito in the race. We came into the race with a slight chance as Mojito was tough as we have seen him win in some good times. We went into the race with all hopes up and we came out as winners,” Watson told the Jamaica Observer‘s Supreme Racing Guide.
“The performance by Thalita was awesome. I mean, it was a wonderful feeling winning my very first St Leger Classic race. The jockey rode a perfect race. The last time she was too early, she chased her stable companion in the 1,000 Guineas. This time, the jockey waited and waited and exploded in deep stretch,” Watson added.
Mamma Mia (Phillip Parchment) showed the way at the start of the race, taking the field into the clubhouse turn and onto the main track, ahead of Princess Sharon (Youville Pinnock), Sensational Move (Shamaree Muir) and Mojito (Dane Dawkins), with Thalita (Reyan Lewis) close behind.
Mamma Mia continued to lead ahead of Princess Sharon, Sensational Move and Huntsman (Raddesh Roman) down the backstretch, with Thalita yet to make a move. Thalita began her run as she approached the half-mile (800m) turn, rounding horses to slide down into fourth place.
Thalita fought Princess Sharon and Mamma Mia for the lead coming off the final turn before taking control.
Watson stated that he is looking forward to the Jamaica Derby with tremendous anticipation.
“The Jamaica Derby is 12 furlongs and she showed that she will stay. This was a resounding victory in the St Leger, and so we are expecting good things.
“It would be wonderful if Thalita wins the Derby. You have a lovely filly winning the St Leger and that’s everybody’s dream to win the Derby now. I have won it [derby] already but, yes, every owner’s dream is to win the Derby as many times as possible, and so we are looking forward to that now,” Watson said.
