The Thornbird Stakes (native-bred three-year-old fillies only), one of the major prep races on the “Road to the Triple Crown”, is slated to be contested on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

The 7-furlong (1,400m) contest has attracted 19 preliminary entries, battling for a total purse of $1.75 million.

Champion trainer Jason DaCosta holds the aces with five runners provisionally entered for the race. Leading his charges is the talented Mamma Mia, a chestnut filly bred by Soul Warrior out of the Royal Minister mare Princess Geeta.

Mamma Mia, owned by Carlton Watson, has won three races from five career starts, including victory in the Cash Pot ‘Only One For Me’ Trophy in October last year. She made a successful seasonal debut on February 22 by spanking rivals by 5 ½ lengths.

Mamma Mia will have Thalita, She’s Myhedgefund, Show Girl, and Boasey as company from her shedrow.

Former three-time champion trainer Anthony Nunes has entered four runners in the race — Legit Boss, Royal Ash, Savvy Girl, and Wow How. Legit Boss and Royal Ash should carry the flag for the Nunes camp.

Legit Boss won the Pick3 Super Challenge Trophy (7 furlongs) last year and dead-heated with Mamma Mia for second place in the one-mile (1,600m) Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes. Legit Boss finished third in her season debut on March 4.

Royal Ash made her seasonal debut in the recent Hotline Stakes, finishing behind Durocell in the 6-furlong (1,200m) event. Royal Ash is going to appreciate this distance and is a live threat.

The horse that everybody will be watching is Ian Parsard’s Bootylicious (Key To Power – Keep The Faith), who is unbeaten in two career starts. Her last win was on February 18, 2023, over 6 furlongs, where she won in a time of 1:14.1. Parsard also has recent winner De Lye La entered.

Also with two runners entered are Gary Subratie and Dale Murphy. Subratie has All for Love and maiden Atomic Energy, while Murphy has Bella Bella and maiden Maggie’s Trix.

THE 30TH RUNNING OF THE

THORNBIRD STAKES (GR.IIR)

NB3-Y-O GRADED STAKES – FILLIES

1400 METRES

TRACK RECORD:1.22.4 EROS 57 KG (W.GRIFFITHS-P.FEANNY)DECEMBER 15, 1994.

STAKES RECORD:1.23.4 VESTIA 49.5 KG (P.WILLIAMS-P.FEANNY) MARCH 13, 1993.

PURSE: $1,750,000

(TO BE RUN ON SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023)

HORSEWGTTRAINERSSTAKES

Mamma Mia57.0kgJason DaCosta$4,383,800

Legit Boss56.kgsAnthony Nunes$3,568,950

Thalita55.kgsJason DaCosta$1,635,600

All For Love54.okgsGary Subratie$1,287,950

Acknowledgeme54.okgsMichael Thomas$1,174,025

Royal Ash54.okgsAnthony Nunes$1,113,850

Bootylicious55.okgsIan Parsard$1,108,350

Savvy Girl54.okgsAnthony Nunes$1,082,900

She’s Myhedgefund54.okgsJason DaCosta $907,550

Show Girl54.okgsJason DaCosta $838,100

Bella Bella54.okgsDale Murphy $720,700

Boasey54.okgsJason DaCosta $679,500

De Lye La54.okgsIan Parsard $603,600

Speedie Hare54.okgsChristopher Pearson $562,350

Wow How54.okgsAnthony Nunes $558,550

Rose Apple54.okgsKeffin Murray $540,500

……………………..ALSO ELIGIBLE………………………………….

Lion Charmer53.0kgsPatrick Lynch $270,300

Maggie’s Trix53.0kgsDale Murphy $180,200

Atomic Energy53.0kgsGary Subratie $45,050

If at the close of entries there is no horse/s entered whose weight is

57.0KG then the highest weighted horse will be adjusted upward to 57.0KG

and all other horse/s below will be adjusted upward accordingly.

Released By The Racing Office on Monday, March 27, 2023

with Nineteen(19) entries.