THE stage is set for the 85th Jamaica Oaks Classic race at Caymanas Park this afternoon and all eyes will be on
Comehometome from champion trainer Jason DaCosta’s stable. The bay filly, poised to dominate the field of 13, is expected to complete an effortless victory.

On paper, Comehometome is the clear favourite to win the Futurity event for native-bred three-year-old fillies going 10 furlongs (2,000m). Consistent in her performances, Comehometome courageously took second place, four lengths behind Run Julie Run, in the Jamaica 1000 Guineas over one mile (1,600m) on June 1.

With Run Julie Run absent from this race, slated for the Jamaica Derby instead, Comehometome has an open opportunity of winning this Classic race.

But don’t count out the competition. A talented quartet of fillies is hot on Comehometome’s heels, ready to pounce on any mistake.

Banadura, also trained by DaCosta, boasts strong pedigree and could be the dark horse in the race. Meanwhile, Blu Sensation, trained by Peter-John Parsard; She’s That Girl, trained by Steven Todd; and Princess Fianie, trained by Rudolph Hardial, are all capable runners with a shot at sharing the spoils.

The Jamaica Oaks, which carries a purse of $3.75 million, is positioned as the 10th and final event on the card with a post time of 5:45 pm. First race is at 12:00 pm.

Comehometome has had two good workouts coming into this race. She galloped 1:13.4 for six furlongs (1,200m), beating stablemate Rosetta (1:17.3) on July 20. Comehometome then galloped seven furlongs (1,400m) in 1:31.0 on July 27, again beating Rosetta (1:31.2).

Comehometome is a three-year-old bay filly bred by Northern Giant out of the Natural Selection mare Heart of Gold. Tevin Foster will remain in the saddle.

Banadura (Casual Trick – Esparanza) has shown flashes of brilliance, winning both the Hotline and Thornbird Stakes races earlier in the season. However, her fourth-place finish in the Jamaica 1000 Guineas raised concerns about her ability to handle longer distances. If her jockey (Robert Halledeen) can regulate her pace effectively then Banadura may be able to surprise her rivals and make a late charge.

Blu Sensation (Sensational Slam – Blues in the Grass) enters this race in good form, having secured a convincing win over seven furlongs in her last outing on July 7, winning by 1¼ lengths in a smooth 1:28.3. With this distance suiting her perfectly, Blu Sensation is poised to make an impact.

She’s That Girl (Sensational Slam – Palace Gold) had her two-race winning streak snapped on July 8, finishing second to Commander Z over six furlongs. Based on her ability, She’s That Girl should still run a respectable race.

Princess Fianie (Soul Warrior – Ship Sham) finished fourth, 4¼ lengths behind Mack and Rome, in the Terremoto Trophy over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) on July 20, her last outing coming into this race. Princess Fianie should enjoy this journey and may earn some money in this race.

The other runners in the line-up are ButterCup, Sippin on Sunshine, Lady Lauren, Amma, Rack Dem, O So mart, and Lucy in the Sky.

Ones to watch

Race 1) Expeditious/Buzz Assault/Boss Izzy

Race 2) Simba The Lion/High Diplomacy/Another Bullet

Race 3) Legal Bomb/Whisky/Special Gift

Race 4) Muzzo/Potential/King Air

Race 5)
Adenosine/Principal Tiffiany/Amad Ali

Race 6) She’s Myhedgefund/Burning Valor/Bernard De Quick

Race 7) Pineapple/Firecracker/Main Mistress

Race 8) Rachael Mannin/Khali Rae/Immeasurable Joy

Race 9) Madelyn’s Sunshine/Money Market/Press Conference

Race 10) Comehometome/Banadura/Blu Sensation