Trainer Jason DaCosta played the perfect hand in the 106th running of the $7.5-million Jamaica Derby Classic at Caymanas Park on Thursday, August 6, using pacemaker Eye Of The Tiger to set it up for closer London Spirit.

The result: a one, two, sixth, seventh finish for the stable. Maverick with Calvin Bailey surged to the front in deep stretch and looked all over the winner and then London Spirit, ridden by Tevin Foster, then got up in time for the win in the 12-furlong classic. 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.

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

Tevin Foster aboard London Spirit in the winners’ enclosure after winning the jamaica Derby on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

DaCosta’s 1000 Guineas and Jamaica Oaks winner Dream Catcher was sixth and Eye Of The Tiger, with Abigail Able making history as the first female jockey to ride in the Derby, finished seventh.

DaCosta said the strategy was clear from the gate.

Tevin Foster (left) aboard London Spirit measuring up Calvin Bailey (right) aboard Maverick in deep stretch in the 106th Jamaica Derby on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“Well, I had a few closers and so I sent Eye of the Tiger to the lead with Abigail able to set the pace and it worked out beautifully,” DaCosta said after the race.

“The instruction I gave him [Calvin Bailey aboard Maverick] was that he must stalked the pace, I knew he was going to be the first one to pounce on them and London Spirit to close on them,” DaCosta added.

DaCosta said that London Spirit had shown promise early but took time to mature.

Tevin Foster looks to the sky as he leads London Spirit towards the winners’ enclosre after winning the Jamaica Derby on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“He was just a very immature two year old; immature early three-year-old and he’s just not um coming to himself. Last month, I mean, he surprised us in the St Leger as he was the only one coming home. Since the St Leger, he sent he worked like an A-class horse coming to this race. I was always quietly confident,” DaCosta explained.

Foster gave him a patient ride despite some trouble.

Trainer Jason DaCosta getting a hug from his sister, Stephanie, after his charge London Spirit (Tevin Foster) won the 106th Jamaica Derby on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

“Well, it was a good ride. I know he got some traffic problems on the back stretch but he really produced them and brought them home,” DaCosta said

For DaCosta, it was more than just another big race win.

“Oh I mean there’s no words for it. I’m just grateful. Congrats to Mr Watson as this is all for him and thank you to the whole crew for the hard work put in,” DaCosta ended.

Connections with London Spirit (Tevin Foster) in the winners’ enclosure after winning the 106th running of the Jamaica Derby on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

I know this horse would sustain in this distance. After watching him running the St Leger and finishing third and knowing from a longer time the trainer had confident in him that he will win the Derby. I just wanted to come out here today and get a clean trip and I know I know was going bring it to home,” Foster said.

Connections celebrate the one-two finish by horses London Spirit (right-Tevin Foster) and Maverick (Calvin Bailey) in the 106th Jamaica Derby on Thursday, August 6, 2026. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)

Foster said that there was trouble on the backstretch but he waited for room turning for home.

“Leaving the half-mile pole a space was there and I tried to go through but the leader kind of slowed on the pace a bit and so everybody had to draw brakes at that time and I didn’t have any room.

“So I was just trying to get that clean run and turning it for home it never went so well but however when
London Spirit got the room and when I asked him to run he gave me a tremendous kick,” Foster explained.