CHAMPION trainer Jason DaCosta says his three-year-old, American-bred bay colt Is That A Fact has shown signs of possessing stamina, and he hopes to ratchet up his charge in terms of distance.

This came following Is That A Fact‘s triumph in the Arthur Jones Memorial Cup feature going six furlongs (1,200m) on Saturday, August 19, 2023. Is That A Fact easily won the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-old and upwards by 7¼ lengths in an encouraging time of 1:13.0 (23.1 x 47.1), his third win on trot.

“It was an impressive performance from Is That A Fact. I mean, he was racing in Overnight Allowance for the first time and won. Like, that is good and so I am happy with the run,” DaCosta said in his post race interview.

“He is a nice horse who is progressing nicely. Is That A Fact is improving with every run and so we hope he continues to improve. Maybe next time we will try and stretch him out a little bit to say seven-furlongs, as he gives the impression that he had more left in the tank. So that’s the plan, and let us see what he does,” DaCosta.

Ridden by Reyan Lewis, Is That A Fact broke off well at the start, racing in second behind Rojorn Di Pilot (Omar Walker). Going into the half-mile (800m) turn, Is That A Fact surged to the front ahead of Rojorn Di Pilot and I’ve Got Magic (Phillip Feanny), and began to open up entering the drive.

Is That A Fact turned on the pressure in deep stretch and went on to win comfortably ahead of Rojorn Di Pilot and I’ve Got Magic. Is That A Fact is bred by Palace Malice out of the Valid Expectation mare Valid Code.

“I feel very good about this win because this horse closed out a three-timer for me,” Lewis said.

“I have been working this horse in the mornings, and I got to know him very well and [the] ability he has. The plan was to get a good break, position him well, and move him off from the half-mile,” Lewis said.