Hazelnut, a promising two-year-old chestnut filly by Soul Warrior out of Money Magnet, secured a convincing victory in the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission (BGLC)/Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) Jamboree Sprint.

Trained by Richard Azan and ridden by Dane Dawkins, Hazelnut dominated the maiden special weight contest for native-bred two-year-olds, winning by 4 ½ lengths over six furlongs (1,200m) in 1:14.3. The race was also one of the BGLC/TOBA Two-Year-Old Millionaire Series.

Azan attributed improved starting gate performance, citing her previous third-place finish.

“What happened the last time was that she jumped slowly from the starting gates but did well to finish in third place going four and a half furlongs. Then she was starting for the first-time racing and maybe she didn’t have the experience but on Saturday, she broke well and that made the difference.

“She is really a nice horse; she broke well and they even passed her around the three-furlong marker but she just came back and she won convincingly, which I thought was great,” Azan told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

Hazelnut broke off well at the start of the race and quickly assumed the early lead ahead of Strong Mind (Samantha Fletcher), Ideal Winna (Tevin Foster), and Kimuchi (Youville Pinnock).

Going into the half-mile (800m) turn, Dawkins allowed Strong Mind to pick up the running but assumed the lead once the field hit the top of the lane. Hazelnut continued her gallop well in deep stretch to win easily at the wire. Beautiful Sunset (Victor Sanchez) finished second and Strong Mind third.

“When have an experienced jockey like Dane Dawkins, you don’t need to tell him much because he is the one riding,” Azan.

Jockey Dane Dawkins (centre) poses with trainer Richard Azan (right) and his wife Monique after winning aboard Hazelnut in the Betting, Gaming, and Lotteries Commission (BGLC)/Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) Jamboree Sprint on Saturday, November 9, 2024. (Garfield Robinson)