THE opening event of 10 on the day had the predictable outcome. Favourite Golden Ambassador (1-5), conditioned by Paul Swaby and ridden by Bebeto Harvey, dominated the gallop over the seven furlongs for three-year-olds in a restricted Maiden Condition to score by three lengths.

In race two, four-time and reigning champion Jason DaCosta saddled the first of four winners on the day with Novia (USA) at odds of 9-2 defeating stablemate, US-bred 1-9 favourite Pepper Stepper (Robert Halledeen) in what was effectively a match in a field of five with four starters from his own stable. Novia, ridden by Tevin Foster, to open a four-timer, scored by just under one length over the five furlongs round course in the Restricted Stakes.

Nuttin But Trouble (8-5) won race three, for $200k claimers from in front by nearly three lengths, with apprentice Evertte Clunis executing the riding engagement with confidence for trainer Henry Harrison Jr over the three-furlong straight trip.

Star Quest (1-1) was a near three-length winner of the 7½-furlong Restricted Allowance III fourth event to secure the second on the card for the formidable Dacosta/Foster trainer/jockey collaboration.

To open a riding triple for apprentice Tajay Suckoo, Kellan (8-5), saddled by Donovan Clarke, was 10½ lengths the best at the end of the six-furlong race five. The Restricted Allowance V event was for five-year-olds and upwards with fewer than two successes lifetime.

Foster landed the third of his eventual four at the end of race six, for $1.0 million claimers, when Wayne’s Princess (7-1), declared owned and declared by Oral Hayden, had just over one length to spare with the 6½ furlongs completed.

Race seven, the $2.0 million 21st renewal of the Open Allowance Betting Claiming & Lotteries Trophy to DaCosta’s Dothraki (USA) for the stable’s third. Ridden by Robert Halledeen to score by a length and a half over 5 ½ furlongs, the five-year-old Into Mischief-sired bay horse now has two wins from eight local starts and one in the US for a total of three from1I lifetime appearances.

The 87th staging of the Jamaica Oaks for fillies foaled in 2024 was the feature and run as race eight. Dream Catcher (1-2), who had overwhelmed her peers with victories in the gender-restricted Thornbird Stakes, The Portmore and 1000 Guineas, duly confirmed her superiority to outstay eight rivals over the 10-furlong stamina test. Inevitably, DaCosta and Foster confirmed their respective four-timers with the money-spinning Dream Catcher scoring by just under three lengths easing down.

Suckoo claimed the second of his eventual three aboard Another One (5-2) from the stable of former three-time champion Anthony Nunes. The hard-knocking four-year-old colt sired by Aveenu Malcainu for sprinting won the Overnight Allowance event, run at five furlongs, was race nine and over the round course by 1½ lengths.

There were winners for second-generation horsemen, DaCosta, Nunes and Harrison Jr, but not to be outdone, Adrian Prince saddled Enthusiastic (7-5) to justify its short closing odds with victory coming by 1¼ lengths in the four-furlong dash on the straight course. This closed Suckoo’s triple on the day and 44th of the season to take the career tally of this 2024 JRC Riding School graduate to 63.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Donovan Clark for presenting Kellan in unbeatable condition with only four races over the last 18 months at lengthy intervals for the five-year-old horse. The Best Winning Gallop was performed by Another One. For his four-timer, Tevin Foster takes the Jockeyship Award.

Tajay Suckoo winning aboard Another One.
(Photos: Garfield Robinson)