IN a season when fortunes hinge on a single stride, the fourth staging of theMouttet Mile (Invitational) at Caymanas Park this afternoon emerges as the razor’s edge as Jamaica’s trainers’ championship title teeters on the outcome of this US$300,000 spectacle.

As trainers Jason DaCosta and Anthony Nunes prepare their heavy hitters — including foreigner invaders Dothraki and Nautical Star, respectively — for Caribbean racing’s biggest clash, the island holds its breath.

The foreign threat is real. Dothraki is primed to make his mark, with DaCosta’s sharp training backing him to challenge for the title, but Nautical Star has also been quietly building momentum for success.

DaCosta also has Funcaandun, who is seeking back-to-back triumphs, and Girvano who is tough, gritty, and dangerous. Nunes, also saddling Tiz Tok who is a force to be reckoned with, will likewise be looking to claim local glory.

But other local representatives won’t back down . Legacy Isle is consistent and classy, with a real shot of winning. Supernatural Power brings blazing speed and power to the mix. Rideallday, paired with Hall of Famer jockey Javier Castellano, is gunning for Mouttet Mile gold after his Port Royal Sprint win. Mojito lurks as a dark horse with hidden firepower.

This isn’t just the region’s richest mile — it’s a referendum on trainers’ prowess. DaCosta and Nunes duel for supremacy as judges; the Mouttet’s verdict is final. In the theatre of Caymanas Park, where shadows lengthen and stakes soar, one truth looms: This race decides.

DaCosta is leading Nunes in stakes earnings with $72,522,450 — a $14,962,850 advantage. Nunes trails with $57,559,600. The Mouttet Mile winner’s share is $24.9 million, thus a victory for either could secure the trainers’ championship title, with six race days left.

Dothraki got tongues wagging with a 1:05.4 debut (five and a half furlongs/1,100m), but a Port Royal Sprint flop raised doubts. Dothraki has been training well so expect an improved, dangerous run. Will distance and class click?

Nautical Star makes his local debut hungry for glory. With three wins, two second-place finishes, and one third-place position from 11 US starts, Nautical Star is working really well coming into this race — class and talent say he could shock with a win. Nunes’ charge is primed.

Funcaandun is the current Horse of the Year who was dismal in the Gold Cup over seven furlongs (1,400m) and the Jamaica Cup over nine and a half furlongs (1,900m). However, this bay colt’s got top credentials. He has two wins from six starts this season, plus he won this race last year and so he knows how to get the job done. Don’t count him out as yet because he’s got the pedigree and reputation.

Girvano is improving. Recently beaten by Mojito in the Jamaica Cup, Girvano is expected to run well here.

Tiz Tok is slowly but surely getting his act together. Recent improvements, class, and Dane Nelson in the saddle all make him a dark horse threat. If he finds his groove, watch out.

Rohan Crichton’s Legacy Isle is a very consistent runner who has five wins from eight starts this season. Legacy Isle stalked his credentials for the Mouttet Mile with an emphatic Gold Cup win (seven furlongs/1,400m) over the much-talked-about Rideallday, and as last year’s runner-up he’s primed for revenge. Working really well, he could lead home rivals here.

Supernatural Power is firing on all cylinders. She won the Viceroy Trophy (one mile) in 1:36.2 (fastest time this season). In good nick, she’s challenging for top honours. Speed and recent form make her dangerous, plus she is super light at 51.0kgs.

After his narrow loss to Legacy Isle in the Gold Cup, Rideallday returned and won the Port Royal Sprint with authority. He has seven wins from nine career starts — an impressive resume that suggests he is one of the top contenders for this coveted prize. He is working well and is expected to decide the outcome of this race.

Mojito announced his Mouttet Mile presence when winning the Jamaica Cup on November 16. Mojito won by a length and a quarter in a time 2:02.0. He should not be disgraced here as he is a real threat.

If the Mouttet Mile eludes both Jason DaCosta and Anthony Nunes, a narrow window opens for Nunes to claw back DaCosta’s $14.96-million lead.

The US$100,000 Bruceontheloose Sprint ($8.25m for the winner’s share) could be his lifeline, with Of a Revolution, Nunes’ highly rated favourite, holding the key. The Graded Stakes contest for three-year-olds and upward will run over six and a half furlongs (1,300m).

Of A Revolution makes his local debut here. Of a Revolution comes here with a racing record of four wins, four seconds, and one third from 18 starts in the United States. He has been blazing up the exercise track and could win the first time of asking.

His only threat is Desert of Malibu, trained by Gary Subratie. Desert of Malibu was caught close to home by Rideallday in the Port Royal Sprint (six furlongs/1,200m) on November 16. Desert of Malibu has the talent and class to rebound with a win here. She has been training well, and with Dane Nelson in the irons her chances of winning are second to none.

The Mouttet Mile is the 11th and final event on the day with a post time of 4:50 pm. The Bruceontheloose is a race before with a post time of 3:55 pm. First race is at 10:10 am.

Ones to watch:

Race 1)
Nebuchadnezzar/Papi Uso/Good Conscience

Race 2)
Rock-Ola/Never/Successful Man

Race 3)
Fred The Master/Nuclear Jet/Linguist

Race 4)
American Aviator/Miss Grove/Don Kwesi

Race 5)
D Head Cornerstone/Kem/Rani Bangala

Race 6)
Brahma Bull/Diesel Train/Starraura

Race 7)
Divine Force/Run Julie Run/I Dream Again

Race 8)
Wicked Cassie/Amazing Force/Always Wright

Race 9)
Ms Cherry/Unruly Don/Brenda Boy

Race 10)
Of A Revolution/Desert of Malibu/Mighty Gully

Race 11)
Nautical Star/Legacy Isle/Rideallday