For local-bred three-year-olds, champion trainer Jason DaCosta says the Classics are the entire career as after the series of races (1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Jamaica St Leger, Jamaica Oaks, and Jamaica Derby) they are thrust into the arena with the best of the best — the “wolves”.

On Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Caymanas Park, Dream Catcher made sure she left nothing on the table in her career-defining season, romping to an easy win in the 87th running of the $3.75-million Jamaica Oaks Classic over 10 furlongs (2,000m).

Dream Catcher lived up to every bit of her billing as the best local-bred filly of her generation. Bred by Bern Identity out of the Legal Process mare Double jeopardy, she sat in behind early before jockey Tevin Foster sent her surging to the lead approaching the distance.

Once in front, the race was over. Dream Catcher was eased down to win by 2 ¾ lengths in 2:07.4, with splits of 25.2 x 50.0 x 1:14.1 x 1:40.0. Giving Thanks (Reyan Lewis) stayed on for second, while Gulfstream Cat (Chalrick Budhai) finished third.

The Oaks win was Dream Catcher’s fourth big-race score this season to go with the Thornbird Stakes, Portmore Stakes, and 1000 Guineas. She was also fifth to the colts in the St Leger.

A proud DaCosta said the filly bounced back perfectly after that St Leger run.

“She was prepared flawless for this race,” DaCosta told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

“I think, going into the St Leger, her last gallop before that wasn’t great and she kind of ran a bit flat in the race. But she bounced back really well here. She gave me two excellent works going into the Jamaica Oaks and she came and produced today and so I am happy and proud of her,” he added.

DaCosta was also quick to credit the connections.

“I am also happy for the owner Vinute Taylor. Tevin knows her the best and so I wasn’t worried. It was a perfect ride from him today and it worked out. It was a great performance, she exerted her class today,” he said.

Dream Catcher has also been entered for Thursday’s (August 6) Jamaica Derby — just five days after the Oaks. DaCosta said the decision will come down to how she pulls up, but the Classic season is too important not to take a shot.

“Well preparing her for the Jamaica Oaks was also preparing her for the Jamaica Derby. I think she won well enough to possibly take a shot at the Derby, but we will see how she comes out of this race and assess her over the next few days,” he said.

“You know, for the local-bred three-year-olds, this is their career right here. After the Classic races they are thrown against the wolves and so this is basically their career right here. So if she comes out of the race good and she’s happy, healthy, and wants to run in the Derby then we will take a shot,” DaCosta further said.

Foster, who has ridden Dream Catcher through all of her Classic campaign, said the filly thrived after her tough run against the boys.

“Well, first and foremost, thanks to the Almighty, the connections, the owner, the trainer, the groom for giving me the honour to ride this horse,” Foster said.

“The other day she ran the St Leger which was among colts and geldings and it was a bit hectic for her as a small-built filly, but she ran a tremendous race. After that the prediction was that we are going for the Oaks, and we did just that. She had prepared very well, she came out of the works exceptionally well, and all we had to do was just to keep her sound. She came today and delivered,” he added.

Trainer Jason DaCosta (left) greets his charge Dream Catcher (Tevin Foster) after winning the Jamaica Oaks Classic on Saturday, August 1, 2026.