DaCosta holds top spots in Hubert ‘Chinna’ Memorial Trophy
Trainer Jason DaCosta appears to hold a strong hand in both divisions of today’s $1.25-million Hubert “Chinna” Memorial Trophy race, a Restricted Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward over seven furlongs (1,400m).
DaCosta, the two-time defending champion conditioner, is expected to win with Digital One in Division One, while his Fred The Great and Sunset Silhouette are the top two runners in Division Two.
The race honours Hubert “Chinna” Bartley, a renowned jockey who dominated the racing scene at Caymanas Park in the 1980s and 1990s. Bartley, a three-time champion jockey (1983, 1986, and 1991), won 751 races during his illustrious career. He claimed four Jamaica 1000 Guineas, two Jamaica Derby, and six Jamaica St Leger victories. He also rode several Grade One winners, including for the three-year-old Governor’s Cup.
Digital One, a three-year-old American-bred filly bred by Uncle Lino – Legal Redemption, is the horse to beat in Division One. She has finished third in both her starts this season and has shown impressive speed in her workouts. Digital One was 5½ lengths behind Wall Street Trader over six furlongs (1,200m) on May 5 and was 5¾ lengths behind fellow American-bred runner Easy As ABC over one mile (1,600m) on June 8. With two races under her belt this season, Digital One is expected to be in top form and ready to take the lead and win.
She has worked 1:08.3 for five and a half furlongs (1,100m) with the last five furlongs (1,000m) coming in 1:01.4 on Saturday, June 22. With leading rider Tevin Foster in the saddle, Digital One is expected to win comfortably. Burlap and Milos should follow her home.
In Division Two, Fred The Great and Sunset Silhouette are expected to battle for top honours.
Fred The Great, a four-year-old American-bred colt, has shown strong form in his last start, while Sunset Silhouette, a five-year-old mare, has been running useful races without winning.
Fred The Great comes into this race on the backend of a strong second-place finish over the straight course at five furlongs on June 2. He came off the pace to lose by three lengths to fellow American Joy Is Golden in 58.4 seconds. Fred The Great should appreciate the longer distance here, making him a strong contender for top honours. Robert Halledeen remains in the saddle aboard Fred The Great.
Sunset Silhoutte was just 2¼ lengths away in third place behind Justin Biden and Stomp The Rhythm over nine furlongs (1,800m) on May 11. She should not be deterred by this reduction in journey and can deliver the goods here. Expect another good effort from her for this one. Panamanian Josue Osorio will continue to do the riding duty aboard Sunset Silhoutte.
Champion Bubbler and Provocativa pose a threat to DaCosta’s runners, with Champion Bubbler getting her preferred distance and Provocativa showing impressive speed in her last win.
Champion Bubbler has raced five times this season without a win. Her best effort was a second-place finish, a neck behind Volatility over the five-straight course on March 24. Champion Bubbler gets her preferred distance here and is expected to be a contender.
Provocativa won her second race on local soil when defeating rivals over 7½ furlongs on June 1. Despite the win being in a claiming group, Provocativa’s speed and performance suggest she could be a contender here.
Ones to watch
Race 1)
Absolute Blue/Noble Impulse/Conundrum
Race 2)
Potential/King Air/Jupiter Man
Race 3)
Sparkle/Benson/Bernard De Quick
Race 4)
Capturemyship/Cataba/Regnant
Race 5)
Motivate me Baby/Goodbye Firefly/El Rapido
Race 6)
Gelroy/Mila Kay/Yorkist
Race 7)
Atomic Energy/Oh My/Lambo Girl
Race 8)
Digital One/Milos/Burlap
Race 9)
Fred The Great/Sunset Silhoutte/Champion Bubbler
Race 10)
Brittbrian Express/Kai On The Go/From Sheer To Ben
Race 11)
Password/Don Pablo/Blinkin Light