Double Diva faces toughest challenge at Caymanas today
Jason DaCosta will know more about the sprinting potential of his talented American-bred filly Double Diva when she faces her toughest race day in the staging of the $1.5-million Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) 21st Anniversary Trophy feature call on the 11-race programme at Caymanas Park today.
Double Diva, a rising four-year-old chestnut filly, has brilliantly won four consecutive races from five career starts and goes up in grade for the three-year-old and upward Open Allowance/Graded Stakes event over five-and-a-half furlongs (1,100m).
DaCosta has pushed all the right buttons on Double Diva thus far. He watched the super filly crush rivals in all her three races in season, once over the straight course at five furlongs (1,000m) and twice going seven furlongs (1,400m).
The Bourbon Courage – Maude Onions offspring was, however, an impressive winner over today’s distance in her second career start on September 15, 2021 when she defeated then stablemate Sudden Flight by 9¼ lengths in a quick 1:06.0.
DaCosta has four more runners in the eight-horse field – Hover Craft, King Arthur, Eagle One, and I Am Fred. Eagle One and I Am Fred probably have the best chances of the lot to put in serious bids here. Eagle One has trained really well for this race and although not in the best form, he is comfortable here, and a good showing is expected.
I Am Fred romped home to his sixth career victory when winning the Distinctly Irish Trophy over nine-plus (1,820m) on June 4. I Am Fred should not find this trip too sharp and could be a danger to all. The bay colt has already raced over this distance on April 30 when finishing in third place behind Runaway Algo and Mahogany. The race was recorded at 1:05.2 and I Am Fred, who was beaten by a length and a half, was timed at 1:05.3 in a field of 14 runners.
Hover Craft and King Arthur should be left alone here.
The SVL 21st Anniversary Trophy is positioned as the ninth event on the 11-race card with a post time of 4:20 pm. First race is at 11:30 am.
Owned by Carlton Watson, Double Diva has prepped well for this race as she clocked five-and-a-half furlongs in 1:06.1, galloping the last five furlongs in a fast 59.4 seconds last Saturday (June 18). Double Diva is as fit as hands can make her, and with Anthony Thomas riding at 50.0kgs (110 lb), she will not go down without a fight.
Trainer Gary Subratie will saddle the main threat to Double Diva in the grey horse Duke, to be ridden by Dane Dawkins. The journey of five-and-a-half furlongs will suit Duke well. Duke was expected to win on last but finished third to Go Deh Girl and God of Love over the straight course on May 28.
The Casual Trick – Lady McBeth offspring continues to be competitive in his races and has now received a substantial pull in the weights, dropping by 11 pounds. Duke races over a trip for which he is much better suited and has a glorious chance of making win number 12.
Another entry that should be competitive in the race is God of Love, trained by Fitzgerald Richards. God of Love, who was beaten by Go Deh Girl on last, should enjoy this trip more, and given his pace, is going to make a telling bid.
Go Deh Girl will cause some anxious moments for all runners on the headline but is expected to falter in deep stretch when the top runners kick into gear.
Ones to watch
Race 1) Zion/Another Champion/King Antholew
Race 2) Duke of Springs/Comandante Lunar/Audibility
Race 3) Pakman/Buckaluck/Voytek
Race 4) Danny Spud/Acero/Lightning McQueen
Race 5) Perfect Brew/Gilbert/Wowza
Race 6) San siro/Hecandance/Yetagain
Race 7) Noble Impulse/Last Bid/Babylon Will Fall
Race 8) Ajita/Lord of Ajahlon/Chennai Express
Race 9) Double Diva/Duke/God of Love
Race 10) She’s Fantastic/Nomoredeals/Jaguar
Race 11) Oldkingcole/King’sMagician/Katalina