The stage is set for an electrifying showdown in this afternoon’s running of the Reggae Trophy feature race, with a stellar field of competitors vying for a lucrative $1.75-million prize. The five-furlong (1,000m) straight event is to feature several top-notch contenders in prime form.

Five-year-old bay mare Bootylicious appears to have the perfect profile for the racing conditions and distance, but four-year-old American-bred filly Digital One’s impressive form makes her a formidable opponent.

Additionally, four-year-old American-bred dark bay/brown colt Pack Plays has returned to winning ways, and five-year-old American-bred bay horse Is That Fact seems revitalised, making this a contest worth watching.

The quality of these runners is exceptional, and the competition is expected to be fierce from start to finish. With such a talented field, predicting a winner is challenging among the mentioned horses, but one thing is certain: the Reggae Trophy will be a thrilling spectacle showcasing the best of horse racing.

The Graded Stakes/Open Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward is positioned as the eighth event on the nine-race card with a post time of 4:20 pm. First race is expected to gallop off at 11:30 am with the running of the $600,000 Breakfast Cup at three and a half furlongs (700m).

Digital One is without a doubt one of the most improved horses in training at the moment. This filly has been on a roll, with three consecutive wins under her belt. She’s already proven herself against some of the competition, beating
Bootylicious and Pack Plays in previous outings. Digital One can win again. Raddesh Roman will ride for trainer Gary Subratie.

Pack Plays returned to winning ways on April 19 with an impressive win in the St Cecelia Cup over six and a half furlongs (1,300m). Pack Plays won by 1½ lengths in 1:19.1, suggesting that he is on top of his game. His speed and agility make him a formidable opponent here. This will be his first time competing at this distance but there’s a first for everything. Apprentice jockey Richie Shakes will do the riding honours for trainer Ricardo Mathie.

Bootylicious got her three-race win streak broken when finishing third behind Digital One and California Crown over five and a half furlongs (1,100m) on March 8. Bootylicious has been training well and is poised for a strong performance. She’s a contender to watch. She worked from the starting gates on Saturday, April 19, clocking 59.4 for five furlongs straight and 46.0 for the four furlongs. Bootylicious then followed up with a decent 35.1 for three furlongs on April 26. Trainer Peter-John Parsard has called six-time champion jockey Omar Walker to ride.

Is That A Fact, trained by Jason DaCosta, has been off the boil recently, failing to win a race from his last five outtings.
Is That A Fact has been training well coming into this race and looking revitalised. On April 19, Is That Fact galloped three furlongs on the round course in 35.2 (ridden). He then galloped five furlongs straight out of the starting gates in 1:00.2 with four furlongs done in 47.0 on April 26. His class and talent make him a dark horse in the mix. Anthony Allen is in the irons for this race.

The other two runners in the six-horse field are Mamma Mia and Champion Bubbler.

— Ruddy Allen