Danka, the Richard Azan-trained two-year-old chestnut filly, appears poised to dominate the $4-million Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, a mile (1,600m) contest at Caymanas Park on Thursday.

Well-suited to the distance, Danka boasts an impressive pedigree as the offspring of Aveenu Malcainu out of the Market Rally mare Baby P. She enters this Futurity contest for native-bred two-year-olds on the heels of a strong third-place finish in the Mr Sensational Trophy on November 30.

In that seven-furlong (1,400m) event, Danka overcame adversity, closing from off the pace and checking in deep stretch to finish just two lengths behind Unspun and Burning Hedge. With additional real estate at her disposal, Danka may have the necessary momentum to secure the win.

Her preparations for this race have been promising, with a notable workout on December 19, where she clocked 1:28.0 for seven furlongs (1,400m). Title-chasing jockey Tevin Foster will ride Danka for the second-consecutive time.

The Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes is positioned as the seventh event on the 10-race programme with a post time of 3:20 pm but the first race is at 11:40 am.

Burning Hedge (Hedge Fund – Burning Clearance) produced a notable effort when finishing second to Unspun in the Mr Sensational Trophy. A repeat performance could see her challenge Danka for the top spot. After clocking 1:32.2 for seven furlongs on Tuesday, December 17, Burning Hedge returned and galloped 36.2 for three furlongs (600m) on Friday.

The remaining runners in the six-horse field are Strong Mind, Hazelnut, Lovisa, and
Mr Lee.