The staging of the opening eight-furlong Classics, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas races, the former restricted to colts and geldings and the latter to the opposite sex.

The outcome of the six-furlong colts and geldings Sir Howard Stakes and fillies Hotline Stakes, the seven-furlong Prince Consort for the “boys” and Thornbird for the “girls”, run in March and April, respectively, saw the emergence of the genuine contenders.

The picture was clearer by the time the seven-furlong Thornbird was won byDream Catcher, and the Prince Consort won by Stardom. The Kingston and The Portmore for the “boys” and “girls”, respectively, ended with these same horses prevailing. Taylor Made laid down a marker with a near four-length margin over stablemate Dream Catcher in The Thornbird. At the appropriate time, the Jason Dacosta conditioned fillies confirmed Classic potential.

To this writer, the outcome of the 1000 Guineas was a foregone conclusion, with Dream Catcher six lengths superior to Taylor Made, whose relaxed front-running tactics also had the rest of the field in trouble from the half mile.

With the St Leger set for July 5, the day after the celebration of the USA’s 250th anniversary, the issue of the contenders and pretenders will be settled. This relates to whether or not there will be a Triple Crown possibility. The result of the 2000 Guineas, with Salute The Don defeating stablemate and The Kingston conqueror Stardom, has left the former as a genuine Triple Crown contender.

From the outset, and analysing the respective abilities of the two Gary Subratie-conditioned colts, I have tended to believe that Salute The Don has more early pace and possibly more scope for improvement. However, against the background of the “traffic problem”, excuses for Stardom’s three parts of a length defeat in the 2000, objectively, no case could be made that he may come up short over the 10-furlong gallop of the St Leger.

On the other hand, there are legitimate concerns over the possible stamina limitations of Salute The Don, having been clear a furlong out in the Prince Consort, but succumbed to the finishing speed of Stardom. However, the more relaxed pace of the longer trip included two turns, which tend to favour the front-runners. Then again, this conjecture may not count for anything. Which of the contenders has improved speed and stamina since the Guineas is the question that will be answered.

Dream Catcher, a two-length and seven-length winner of the Thornbird and Portmore, respectively, has the most spectacular style of running seen for a long time. After sprinting to victory from in front over four furlongs on her January 24 debut, and chasing home Taylor Made nearly four lengths adrift for second in the Hotline,
Dream Catcher’s rider, Tevin Foster, has shown no interest in front-running tactics.

Dream Catcher (Tevin Foster) easily brushes aside the competition to win the 52nd of the $3.75-million Jamaica 1000 Guineas Classic at Caymanas Park on Saturday, June 6, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

What is unusual is her acceleration when matters, as we saw in the Thornbird Stakes, The Portmore, and 1000 Guineas, her finishing speed puts her in a different class in the last furlongs. The inevitable comparisons of the 1:11.3 for 2000 first six furlongs and the 1000 Guineas 1:13.0, although they were 24 hours apart, may be very instructive.

The colts’ final time of eight furlongs in 1:39.3, with the first three to finish covered by one length and almost totally exhausted, as far as the winning distances of both races are concerned, here is what must be considered. Both sexes toted 126 lbs each, and six-length fillies winner Dream Catcher returned a time of 1:41.2 and was as fresh as ever returning to the winners’ enclosure.

Surely, Dream Catcher, with more competition, could have posted something below 1:40.0. It can be posited objectively as well that the pace of the 2000 was suicidal enough to question the stamina of those from fourth down to 10. Dream Catcher will tote 121 lbs, in receipt of 5 lbs in the St Leger, and in this version, this sex allowance could prove decisive over this trip.

As I indicated in the last column, the eight-week window mimicking the American Triple Crown series has not served our Classic aspirants well. In fact, a pattern has emerged, whereby, since the change from a five-month period locally, the majority of the winners and their chief competitors struggle to improve their form beyond the series.

In order to mitigate the disastrous unintended consequence, the weights for the race should be adjusted downwards to stipulate that colts and geldings tote 123 lbs and fillies 118 lbs. As long as weights are level according to sex was the objective of the great English horsemen, who founded the Classics, the great principles of the weight-for-age table for fair handicapping.

Finance Minister Fayval Williams has announced the appointment of a new Board Of Commissioners at the Jamaica Racing Commission. Serving as Commissioners will be Ryan-Kwesi Reid and Derrick Smith, chairman and deputy, respectively, along with Charles Heholt, Richard Foster, Anna Henry, and Andrea Lyle. From this column, its congratulations and thanks for opting to serve. Important decisions are a constant dynamic in the racing industry.

Contact: wesmartinhorseracing@gmail.com