No challenge for I Am Di One
Published:Saturday | May 4, 2019 | 12:00 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
LEADING trainer Anthony Nunes’ 1000 Guineas winner, I AM DI ONE, has everything going for her and will be the shortest-priced Jamaica Oaks favourite in years, racing only the clock this afternoon.
Foaled by IT IS I, who won the 2008 Governor’s Cup, beating colts and geldings, I AM DI ONE is set to outdo her dam, who finished second in both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks, beaten by eventual Triple Crown winner ALSAFRA.
A massive filly, I AM DI ONE easily beat her main rival, LADY BLUE, at her own game in last month’s 1000 Guineas, going gate to wire at a mile in only her second start. She has beaten nine of her 10 rivals, mainly in the Guineas, and now gets 10 furlongs, which makes her unbeatable in the Oaks.
The battle for second place should be interesting, especially for I AM DI ONE’s stablemate, PRINCESS AVA, who was used up and finished seventh trying to keep pace in the Guineas.
Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta’s LADY BLUE proved herself a real little battler in the Guineas but was no match for I AM DI ONE, who had her chasing another horse for the first time in seven starts. Sired by sprint stallion Blue Pepsi Lodge, LADY BLUE still managed to stay on for second after chasing splits of 22.4, 45.1 and 1:10.0, which, understandably, resulted in a final time of 1:40.4.
Gary Subratie’s CASUAL DRINK and Nunes’ ENVISAGED finished fourth and fifth, respectively, neither playing any part in the early fractions, which afforded them overly flattering strong finishes, ahead of PRINCESS LAUREN and PRINCESS AVA, who were third and fourth from the off to the last furlong.
Considering I AM DI ONE made all to beat LADY BLUE at a mile, there is absolutely no reason to change the race plan, which could leave DaCosta’s Guineas runner-up at the risk of being overhauled going two furlongs longer.
However, LADY BLUE has a big heart and could very well secure the $540,000 second money for DaCosta, if ridden specifically to beat the others, because I AM DI ONE would have to fall to lose the $1.62 million winners’ purse.