Mojito leads class field for Jamaica St Leger Classic
ON Saturday, July 1, twelve of the best native-bred three-year-olds in training will compete for the 2023 Jamaica St Leger Classic, the second jewel in the Triple Crown series of races, at Caymanas Park.
The field of 12 horses is led by the group’s two leaders, Mojito, winner of the 2000 Guineas, and Mamma Mia, winner of the 1000 Guineas. Both runners will be hoping to continue their quest for the Triple Crown.
During Tuesday’s post position draw for the Grade One race at Caymanas Park, Mojito was drawn at post one and Mamma Mia was drawn at post seven.
Mojito, last season’s outstanding two-year-old, won the 2000 Guineas by 12 1/2 lengths in 1:37.2 over one mile (1,600m), establishing his credentials as the finest among his peers as racegoers await the next Triple Crown winner. The Richard Azan protégé will be the big morning line favorite.
Mamma Mia, trained by Jason DaCosta, gave an excellent performance to win the 1000 Guineas over one mile on Saturday, June 3, leaving competitors in no doubt about who is the top three-year-old filly at this point in the 2023 season. She finished in 1:39.0.
If things don’t go as planned then Mamma Mia’s stablemates Thalita or Life Is Life will step in. Thalita has drawn at post number six and Life Is Life is at 12.
Money Miser, bred, owned, and trained by Fitzroy Glispie; and Huntsman, conditioned by Ian Parsard, are two notable runners in the field who could cause some concern.
Money Miser, who is drawn at post three, ran the race of his life in the 2000 Guineas for second-place behind Mojito on June 4. This chestnut colt put in a fantastic effort and should put in another strong run.
Huntsman, who missed the Jamaica 2000 Guineas due to injury, returned for his third career run in the Mr Lover Lover Trophy on Sunday, June 18 and easily defeated competitors by 16 lengths in a pace of 1:58.2 for nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m). Hutsman should be respected here because he is the only horse in the field to have won going two turns. Huntsman is assigned to post number 10.
Full Field
POSHORSEJOCKEYTRAINER
1. MojitoDane DawkinsRichard Azan
2. Rhythm BuzzAnthony Thomas Vincent Atkinson
3. Money Miser Tevin Foster Fitzroy Glispie
4. Princess SharonYouville PinnockFitzroy Glispie
5. All For Love Omar WalkerGary Subratie
6. Thalita Reyan LewisJason DaCosta
7.Mamma Mia Phillip Parchment Jason DaCosta
8. Sensational Move Dane Dawkins Gary Subratie
9.Kai On The GoAllen Maragh Gary Subraie
10.HutsmanRaddesh RomanIan Parsard
11. From Sheer To BenOneil Scott Alford Brown
12. Life is LifeOshane Nugent Jason DaCosta