Champion owner Carlton Watson feels that when his four-year-old American-bred colt Is That A Fact matures, he will enjoy a longer distance on the ground.

Is That a Fact continued to show signs of progressing stamina following his impressive victory in the $1.14-million Alexander Hamilton Memorial Trophy on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

The colt, which finished second to Atomica in the Ian Levy Cup on January 1, was always going to be difficult to beat here, especially considering he was dropping down in grade for this race. And the Jason DaCosta trainee didn’t disappoint as he dismantled rivals in a deep stretch to win the one-mile (1,600m) by an ever-increasing 10 lengths.
Is That A Fact won ahead of Sistren Treasure and Big Big Daddy in the Open Allowance event for three-year-olds-and-older in a respectable 1:39.1 (23.3 x 46.0 x 1:11.3).

“It was an awesome performance from Is That A Fact. I mean, running 1:39.1 on a floater, he is improving,” Watson told the Jamaica Observer’s Supreme Racing Guide.

“I think over time, as he gets older, he is enjoying the distance of ground. We saw that in the Mouttet Mile (one mile or 1,600 m), he stays the journey, and we also saw that in the Ian Levy Cup (8 12/furlongs or 1,700m), he came second behind Atomica, and this was an easier race for him, so we were expecting a win.

“It is early days yet, as Mouttet Mile is in December, and so we hope he keeps sound. He is improving, and so we expect more improvement from him going forward,” Watson added.

Is That A Fact, ridden by Robert Halledeen, raced out well at the start of the race but was pulled off the pace and settled in third place, allowing stablemate Luksol (Jerome Innis) to lead the headlines ahead of I Realize (Javaniel Patterson).

Is That A Fact maintained a steady run down the backstretch before Halledeen sent the far-striding horse in pursuit of Luksol at the half-mile (800m) turn. At the seven-sixteenth pole,
Is That A Fact took the lead and never looked back.

“I am enjoying it [horse racing]. I keep on investing in horse racing. I love horse racing, and I keep on supporting the game and getting the returns. I have wonderful trainers with me, so I just keep on enjoying the game. I don’t have the number of horses I have, but I know I have some good horses this year and will just continue enjoying myself,” Watson said.