Banadura, the Jason DaCosta-conditioned three-year-old bay filly, consolidated her credentials for the upcoming Classic series of races, especially where the fillies are concerned, with a powerful win in the Thornbird Stakes on Saturday, April 13, 2024.

The Graded Stakes contest for native-bred three-year-old fillies was run over seven furlongs, with Banadura winning race by a length and a half ahead of stablemate Comehometome and favourite Run Julie Run. The final time for the race was 1:29.1 (24.0 x 48.0 x 1:14.1).

Banadura, who won the Hotline Stakes at six furlongs (1,200m) on March 23, has now won two of the three important preparatory races for fillies on the “Road to the Triple Crown.” The third and final stop on the journey will be the seven-and-a-half-furlong Portmore to be run next month.

Owner Milad Azan said that it was just a wait-and-see game for Banadura heading into the Classic races.

“I cannot be any happier with Banadura at this moment. We had people saying that we had no chance of winning against
Run Julie Run and why did I start my horse, but I have an excellent trainer, a fantastic jockey on board, and God is good. We have many places to go with this horse. My trainer said we would wait, just taking one step at a time with her,” Azan said.

DaCosta said if all goes well with both of his runners, Banadura and Comehometome, then they will be ready for the 1000 Guineas in June.

“Coming off that good win in the Hotline off the layoff, I knew Banadura would improve after that run, and I am happy for the win. I have always had high hopes for Comehometome, and so it looks as if she is now improving. I hope she continues to make progress and we will see what happens from here.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, both of them [Banadura and Comehometome] should be heading for the 1000 Guineas,” DaCosta said.

Banadura, who was ridden by Robert Halledeen, stormed to the top of the pack from the start but allowed Midnight Flight (Matthew Bennett) to pass down the backstretch as she settled in second position.

Halledeen then urged Banadura into the lead at the half-mile (800-metre) turn, and the bay filly began to pull away from opponents as they ran the bend.

Despite being pressured by stablemate Comehometome (Jerome Innis) in the final furlong and a half, Banadura was too strong in the end and won her second-consecutive race of the season.