WITH the condition and distance quite suitable to her running style, the Ian Parsard-conditioned
Run Julie Run looks the prime candidate to take home the $1.75-million Thornbird Stakes feature as the “Road to the Triple” continues with the seven-furlong (1,400m) event at Caymanas Park today.

Bred by Successfully Native – Runaway Julie, Run Julie Run rose to the top of her sex category when she finished second by two and a half lengths behind
Intrestntimesahead over one mile on December 26, 2023 in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes. Based on that race alone this makes Run Julie Run easily the best runner in the 15-horse field.

The Thornbird Stakes, a native-bred, three-year-old Graded Stakes event for fillies only, is not only one of the major preparation races for the upcoming Classics but the race was also named after one of the best racehorses to have competed at the Park.

Thornbird was owned by the late Rudolph Daley and trained by the late and fondly remembered racing legend Wayne DaCosta. In 1984 Thornbird won the Jamaica 1000 Guineas, the Jamaica Oaks, the Jamaica Derby, the Shell Silverplate, and the Horse of the Year crown.

The event is positioned as the ninth and final race on the card with a post time of 5:30 pm. First race gets off at high noon.

Run Julie Run had made her seasonal debut in a six and a half furlong race on February 24, and finished third behind American-bred Amazing Force and Comehometome.

Since then she has been training well for this race and should return to winning ways here. Run Julie Run, on Sunday, April 7, galloped five and a half furlongs in 1:08.4 by 1:02.2 (five furlongs). Omar Walker remains in the saddle.

The likes of Comehometome, Ms Cherry, Banadura, and Amma should play prominent roles in the outcome here.

Comehometome is a very consistent runner who has been doing well in her races without actually winning. The Jason DaCosta trainee should continue to earn for her connections here.

Ms Cherry was expected to perform better than her fourth-place finish in the Hotline Stakes on March 23 over six furlongs. Ms Cherry, trained by Richard Azan, has prepared well for this race, and given her potential she could give the favourite a run for her money here. The tongue-tie will be on and the figure 8 off.

Banadura, also trained by DaCosta, was the winner of the Hotline Stakes on March 23. Banadura should have no problem going a furlong here and is expected to impact on the outcome of the race.

Amma, a stablemate of Run Julie Run, was impressive when releasing the maiden tag on February 14 over seven furlongs. Amma won the race by nine lengths in a smooth 1:28.1. Look for another good run from Amma here.

Ones to watch

Race 1)
Rosetta/King Piyre/Brenda Boy

Race 2)
Rocket Lily/Queen Zan/Rusty

Race 3)
Jaguar/Talona/She’s Fantastic

Race 4)
Brittbrian Express/She’s A Mirage/Blinkin Light

Race 5)
Rainsville/Sonny T and Chippy/All For Love

Race 6)
Sir Wong Don/Bad Investment/Benson

Race 7)
Desert of Malibu/Mahogany/Yellowstone

Race 8)
Bulletproofcolleffee/From Sheer To Ben/Flybluejet

Race 9)
Run Julie Run/Ms Cherry/Banadura