Crown Chaser, in a thrilling display of speed and endurance, claimed top honours in the 104th staging of the $7.5-million Jamaica Derby at Caymanas Park on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

The talented bay colt, Crown Chaser, owned by Chevan Maharaj, trained by Anthony “Baba” Nunes, and ridden by Shane Ellis, showcased his grit and determination to cross the line first by half length in a driving finish in the 12-furlong (2,400m) Futurity contest, the final jewel in the Triple Crown series of races.

Crown Chaser, by Bern Identity – Salty Talk, won in a time of 2:38.0 (23.3 x 48.4 x 1:17.1 x 1:42.2) and solidified his position as the top native-bred three-year-old, showcasing his exceptional talent and potential for greatness.

Maharaj celebrated his third Jamaica Derby victory, following wins with Supreme Soul in 2019 and Calculus in 2021, both ridden by Ellis.

Nunes secured his sixth Jamaica Derby win, adding to his previous victories with
Terremoto (1998), Technomoto (2011), Relampago (2014), Orpheis (2016), and
Supreme Soul (2019), all ridden by Ellis.

Ellis rode his seventh Jamaica Derby winner, building on his previous victories aboard
Awesome Power (2001), Typewriter (2012), Relampago (2014), Orpheus (2016),
Supreme Soul (2019), and Calculus (2021).

Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide analyses the performances of the 11 runners in the Derby in the order they finished.

FIRST – CROWN CHASER: This was more than just a win — it was a majestic triumph. Despite finishing 3½ lengths behind Intestntimesahead in the Jamaica St Leger,
Crown Chaser defied expectations to claim the Derby crown. Entering the race as a non-winner of two, few predicted he would dethrone the favourite. Yet, under Shane Ellis’s expert guidance, Crown Chaser bided his time, waiting behind the pace until the half-mile curve. Then, with a burst of speed, he outfinished his rivals, crossing the line with a commanding presence. With only six races under his belt [including the Jamaica Derby],
Crown Chaser’s potential is still unfolding. This victory marks a coronation of sorts, heralding the arrival of a new star in the racing firmament. As he continues to grow and mature, one can only imagine the heights he will reach.

SECOND – RUN JULIE RUN: A gallant effort by this filly. Run Julie Run delivered a stellar performance, pushing the eventual winner to the wire. Although she led the field around the clubhouse turn, she was ultimately outfinished by Crown Chaser’s superior speed in the closing stages. Despite falling short, Run Julie Run’s impressive campaign in the Classic races deserves accolades. She won the 1000 Guineas and finished a respectable third in the Jamaica St Leger, earning her place among the top contenders. This filly’s determination and talent ensure she will be a force to be reckoned with in future races.
Run Julie Run may not have won the Derby, but she has undoubtedly won the hearts of racing fans with her grit and resilience. She will undoubtedly be back, hungrier for victory than ever.

THIRD – CAPTAIN SPARROW: A promising performance. Captain Sparrow delivered a strong effort in the Jamaica Derby, showcasing his aptitude for longer distances. As expected, he relished the 12-furlong stretch, making a perfectly timed move to challenge for the lead. However, he was caught off guard by the sudden acceleration of
Run Julie Run and Crown Chaser in the final stages, forcing him to settle for a respectable third place. Despite not taking the top spot, Captain Sparrow’s performance served as a testament to his talent and potential in long-distance races. He will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in future events, in which his endurance and strategic moves will be major assets. Captain Sparrow’s promising display has set the stage for exciting possibilities in his racing career.

FOURTH – INTRESTNTIMESAHEAD: Intrestntimesahead, the Jamaica St Leger champion, was poised to repeat his success in the Derby, but it wasn’t meant to be. Despite being prominent throughout the race, he couldn’t quite deliver the knockout blow. He held a strong position, second, going into the half-mile turn, and entered the straight alongside Crown Chaser, Captain Sparrow, and
Run Julie Run. However, he couldn’t muster the extra gear needed to take the top spot. Although he didn’t meet expectations, Intrestntimesahead showed grit and determination, doing his best in a fiercely competitive field. He will undoubtedly return, wiser and more seasoned, with a renewed bid for glory. His talent and potential remain intact, and he will be a force to be reckoned with in future races.

FIFTH – PROVIDENT: A solid performance by this chestnut colt. Provident lived up to expectations, securing a respectable fifth-place finish. Although he didn’t challenge for the top spots, he demonstrated his consistency and reliability, earning a spot among the money. His performance was a testament to his steady form, and he will likely continue to be a contender in future races.

SIXTH – KING PIYE: Earned a piece of the Jamaica Derby pie without being a threat.

SEVENTH – ZULU WARRIOR: Zulu Warrior’s seventh-place finish may not have been the most spectacular result, but simply making it to the Derby was a triumph in itself.

EIGHTH – CALIFORNIA CROWN: California Crown’s performance followed a familiar pattern, as he once again struggled with distance. He started strong, keeping pace with the leaders early on, but faded significantly when the field accelerated, leaving him with nothing left in the tank. Despite this, California Crown’s early spark hints at potential, which may be tapped with more targeted training and distance management.

NINTH – MACK AND ROME: Was never a winning factor.

TENTH – BOLD MOVE: Should have never started. He had no business in this Derby field.

ELEVENTH – OIL MACHINE: Ran as expected.