London Spirit produced a breathtaking finish to snatch the 106th running of the $7.5-million Jamaica Derby Classic from stablemate Maverick in the final stride at Caymanas Park on Thursday.

Owned by Carlton Watson, trained by Jason DaCosta, and ridden by Tevin Foster, London Spirit (9-2) looked to have no chance of winning turning for home in the 12-furlong (2,400m) Blue Riband event. But he exploded down the centre of the track and nailed 82-1 outsider Maverick (Calvin Bailey) right on the wire by a nose.

The crowd erupted and so did the DaCosta barn — it was a memorable one-two finish in the final jewel of the Triple Crown series of races.

I Love Birdie (Phillip Parchment) was another long shot at 50-1 in third, while 4-5 favourite We Jammin (Reyan Lewis) could only manage fourth.

It was DaCosta’s second-straight Jamaica Derby win after I Dream Again last year.

“He got into a bit of traffic on the backstretch but Tevin really produced him and brought him home. I have no words for this but I am grateful. Congrats, Mr Watson – this is all for him – and thanks to the crew for the hard work they put in,” DaCosta said.

For Foster, it was his first Jamaica Derby winner.

“In deep stretch I wasn’t really certain that I would catch the leader,” Foster said.

“But after seeing him drifting out a bit I knew that he was tired. At that point, the way my horse was coming, I was begging for the wire not to come because I knew I was going to catch him,” Foster added.

It wasn’t the best of starts for London Spirit as the bay colt settled among the backmarkers in the early stages. Eye of the Tiger (Abigail Able) led the field past the stands for the first time and into the clubhouse turn, chased by Bigger Boss (Robert Halledeen), Strong Aveenu (Paul Francis), and Salute The Don (Dane Dawkins).

Eye Of The Tiger brought the field onto the main track and continued to dictate the pace down the backstretch, with London Spirit still labouring at the rear. Eye Of The Tiger gave up the running at the half-mile (800m) pole when stablemate Bigger Boss took over.

But in a flash, We Jammin moved up to challenge approaching the far turn. Then came the surprise package, Maverick made a bold move, circled rivals entering the lane, and opened up in deep stretch.

With a furlong to go, Maverick looked all over a winner but Foster had other ideas. He produced his mount and London Spirit, as if his life depended on it, found an extra gear and got up in the nick of time to nip Maverick on the wire.

The winning time was 2:36.4 (25.2 x 49.4 x 1:16.0 x 1:42.1 x 2:09.3).

Racing continues on Saturday.

— Ruddy Allen