Sat | Sep 23, 2023

Thalita crowns big day for Dacosta stables

Published:Sunday | May 7, 2023 | 1:54 AMAinsley Walters - Gleaner Writer
THALITA, ridden by Dane Dawkins, wins the third running of The Portmore over seven-and-a-half furlongs, a graded stakes for three-year-old and upwards at Caymanas Park yesterday.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
THALITA, ridden by Dane Dawkins, wins the third running of The Portmore over seven-and-a-half furlongs, a graded stakes for three-year-old and upwards at Caymanas Park yesterday.

THALITA RAN past stablemate MAMMA MIA and 1-2 favourite BOOTYLICIOUS a furlong and a quarter out in Portmore, handing champion trainer Jason DaCosta the fourth of five winners on yesterday’s 10-race card.

A stewards’ enquiry into Philip Parchment’s handling of race-leader MAMMA MIA a furlong and a half out - using left-handed whipping to steer his mount into BOOTYLICIOUS’ path, causing Reyan Lewis to snatch up the favourite just as she launched her attack - did not change the placings, giving owner Carlton Watson and DaCosta a 1-2 finish in the 1000 Guineas prep at seven and a half furlongs.

Racing third into the lane behind MAMMA MIA being challenged by BOOTYLICIOUS, THALITA got the rail run under champion jockey Dane Dawkins after her stablemate was angled to mid-track by Parchment.

Lewis, who rode DaCosta’s three earlier winners, WAYNE’S PRINCESS, SENSATIONAL ENDING and SHE’S MY DESTINY, returned to close a four-timer and DaCosta’s fifth aboard SUNSET SILHOUTTE, who ran through rivals a half-furlong out in the night pan at seven furlongs.

Classic preps continue this afternoon with the colts and geldings in a major showdown in the Kingston as Champion Two-Year-Old MOJITO squares off with HUNTSMAN and ABILITY at seven and a half furlongs.