Field of 10 confirmed for Thornbird, Prince Consort Stakes races
The post-position draws for both the 30th running of the Thornbird Stakes and Prince Consort Stakes races took place at Caymanas Park on Monday, with 10 runners each being confirmed for both graded stakes events.
The Thornbird Stakes is for native-bred three-year-old fillies only and will be contested on Saturday, April 8, while the Prince Consort Stakes, which is confined to native-bred three-year-old colts and geldings, is to be run on Sunday, April 9.
The Thornbird and Prince Consort Stakes races are both major prep races on the ‘Road to the Triple Crown’. Both races will be run over seven furlongs (1,400m) for purses of $1.75 million each.
Champion trainer Jason DaCosta and former three-time champion conditioner Anthony Nunes have three runners each in the field. DaCosta saddles the favourite Mammia Mia, Thalita, and Boasey, while Nunes has Legit Boss, Royal Ash, and Savvy Girl.
The talented Mamma Mia (chestnut filly bred by Soul Warrior out of the Royal Minister mare Princess Geeta), who made a successful seasonal debut on February 22 by spanking rivals by 5 ½ lengths going six-and-a-half furlongs (1,300m), is drawn at post one with her stablemates Thalita at post three and Boasey at post seven.
Legit Boss, who won the Pick3 Super Challenge Trophy (seven furlongs) last year and dead-heated with Mamma Mia for second place in the one-mile (1,600m) Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, should be Mamma Mia’s main threat. Legit Boss is drawn at post four, while her stablemates Royal Ash is at post nine, and Savvy Girl is on the outside at post 10.
The rest of the field is made up of Bootylicious, trained by Ian Parsrad, at post two; Acknowledgeme, trained by Michael Thomas, at post five; All For Love, trained by Gary Subratie, at post six; and Speedie Hare, trained by Christopher Pearson, at post eight.
Meanwhile, Mojito, the champion two-year-old from last season, will have to do his running from the number one draw. Mojito, a grey colt bred by Savoy Stomp out of Fiftyshadesofgray, is set to make this season but should report in good shape for this trophy race.
Nunes will saddle Mojito’s main danger in El Afortunado. El Afortunado, after his win in the Sir Howard Stakes, is drawn at post eight. His stablemates Anonymous and Milos are drawn at posts nine and 10, respectively.
Carl Anderson has two main contenders in this race: Burning Valor, who drew post two, and Secret Admiral, who will break from stall five.
Full field for the Thornbird Stakes
DRAW HORSESWEIGHTSJOCKEYS TRAINERS
1. Mamma Mia57.0 kgsRobert Halledeen Jason DaCosta
2. Bootylicious55.0 kgsReyan Lewis Ian Parsard
3. Thalita 55.0 kgsOmar Walker Jason DaCosta
4. Legit Boss 56.0 kgsLinton Steadman Anthony Nunes
5. Acknowledgeme54.0 kgsRaddesh Roman Michael Thomas
6. All For Love 54.0 kgsDane Dawkins Gary Subratie
7. Boasey 54.0 kgsTrevor Simpson Jason DaCosta
8. Speedie Hare 54.0 kgsShavon Townsend Chris Pearson
9. Royal Ash 54.0 kgsAnthony Thomas Anthony Nunes
10. Savvy Girl 54.0 kgsYouville Pinnock Anthony Nunes
Full field for the Prince Consort Stakes
DRAW HORSES WEIGHTSJOCKEYS TRAINERS
1. Mojito 57.0 kgsDane Dawkins Richard Azan
2. Burning Valor 53.0 kgsAnthony Thomas 2 Carl Anderson
3. Loyal Action 53.0 kgsMatthew Bennett Gary Crawford
4. Big Guy In TheSky 53.0 kgsRaddesh Roman Gary Subratie
5. Secret Admiral 53.0 kgsPaul Francis 2 Carl Anderson
6. Roulette Boss 54.0 kgsPaul Francis Dennis Thwaites
7. Rejected Raja 54.0 kgsRobert Halledeen Robert Pearson
8. El Afortunado 54.0 kgsAnthony Thomas Anthony Nunes
9. Anonymous 53.0 kgsLinton Steadman Anthony Nunes
10. Milos 54.0 kgsYouville Pinnock Anthony Nunes