Champion trainer Jason DaCosta revealed that the secret to his success in the 85th staging of the Jamaica Oaks Classic race was giving his runners time-off and timely preparation.

Banadura’s dramatic turnaround from a fourth-place finish in the 1000 Guineas to the commanding champion in the $3.75-million Jamaica Oaks Classic was a testament to DaCosta’s strategic approach.

Banadura, under Robert Halledeen, seized control at the half-mile mark and unleashed a powerful surge, crossing the finish line 2 ½ lengths clear in 2:14.3 in the Futurity event for native-bred three-year-old fillies over 10 furlongs. The Oaks was run on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

DaCosta’s one-two finish was complete with Rosetta (Phillip Parchment) coming second, while Amma (Shane Ellis) took third place and Comehometome (Tevin Foster), also trained by DaCosta, completing the frame.

“After the 1000 Guineas, I heard Run Julie Run was going into the Jamaica Derby and so I put down these horses after the Guineas and prepared them for this race,” DaCosta said in a post-race interview.

“They had issues going into the 1000 Guineas and out and so I gave them time, to get them right and prepared them for this race. When Banadura left the three-furlong marker she looked like the winner as I didn’t see anybody coming from behind and she was pulling away. I was pretty confident that she would hold on,” he added.

As the field passed the stands for the first time, 99-1 long shot Sippin on Sunshine (Aaron Chatrie) took a surprising lead, with Banadura, She’s That Girl (Raddesh Roman), and Rack Dem (Everton Miller) hot on her heels. Banadura’s patience eventually paid off as she bided her time behind the leader, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Banadura continued to race in second position as the field made their way onto the main track. Banadura maintained her gallop well down the backstretch before Halledeen gave her the green light and she surged to the front approaching the half-mile.
She’s That Girl refused to give up, though, chasing relentlessly as Blu Sensation made a late surge along with Amma.

But Banadura was unstoppable. With a few expert cracks of the whip and a couple of subtle hold changes from Halledeen, she maintained her gallop and crossed the wire first, securing her third win of the season from five starts.

“Rosetta and Comehomewithme got a lot of traffic problems and they still ran well.
Banadura, what can I say? She got a brilliant ride from Robert [Halledeen]. She was in a perfect position throughout the race and made her move at the right time so I can’t ask for anything else,” DaCosta said.