Panamanian jockey Victor Sanchez piloted three-year-old roan filly Rosetta to a hard-fought victory in the Caymanas Park 1959 Trophy on Saturday, August 17, 2024.

It was the Panamanian’s first ride in Jamaica.

Sanchez broke Rosetta behind the early pace-setters in the one-mile (1,600m) event, biding his time before making a bold move to the front at the five-furlong (1,000m) marker ahead of Buttercup (Raddesh Roman), Brenda Boy (Oneil Mullings), and
Don’t Tell Lou Lou (Omar Walker).

Rosetta continued to lead the field, navigating the half-mile (800m) ahead of Buttercup, Brenda Boy, with Titan Tempo (Tevin Foster) coming into the mix. As the field turned for home, a fierce three-way battle ensued among Rosetta, Brenda Boy, and Titan Tempo as
Buttercup faded. Sanchez coaxed every ounce of energy from Rosetta, who in the end, headed out Brenda Boy in a heart-stopping finish. Titan Tempo took third place.

The race was a Restricted Allowance II contest for native-bred three-year-olds (non-winners of two) and imported three-year-olds and upward (maidens).

Trainer of Rosetta, Jason DaCosta beamed with pride, predicting a bright future for Sanchez on local soil.

“It was a good ride by Victor Sanchez. He just came from Panama and he seemed to have caught on quickly; he is young, light, and very aggressive and hopefully he can have a good season here,” DaCosta told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“It feels good to be able to give him his first winner here. It is a long road ahead and so hopefully this win is one of many,” he added.

Commenting on the performance from Rosetta, DaCosta said: “It was a bit unfortunate for her in the Jamaica Oaks. Maybe with a clear run she probably would have won but that was left to be seen. However, she got a good ride today to beat colts; it was a good performance.”