Rojorn Di Pilot poised for hat-trick
Published:Saturday | July 18, 2020 | 12:21 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
THE COVID-19 lay-up appears not to have bothered ROJORN DI PILOT, who breezed a bullet 59.3 at exercise two Saturdays ago from the gate alongside United States-bred stablemate WHOSHOTTHESHERIFF.
The speedy four-year-old is drawn favourably in mid-track, hunting a hat-trick of wins off the COVID-19 lay-up, the only Wayne DaCosta runner Omar Walker is aboard on this afternoon as one of the most successful jockey-trainer combinations ever at Caymanas Park appears to be on the wane.
Sharing topweight 126lb with stayer MASTER OF HALL, who will race out of DaCosta’s barn for the first time, ROJORN DI PILOT should use his speed to dominate slower rivals drawn from post-position eight to 12, effectively making him the top speed along the favoured stands’ side in five-furlong straight races.
Fit UNIVERSAL BOSS would have been a dangerous contender had he drawn better. Breaking from post-position one, carrying at least 119lb, with horses to keep him down along the heavier inner rail, will be his undoing at a distance he has never really fancied.
ROJORN DI PILOT surprised when last raced on March 7, sitting behind GRAYDON at a mile before pouncing at the top of the lane under female apprentice Abigail Able, throwing a 5-1 upset that seemed more like 50-1 as 6-5 favourite DONTAE finished down the track.
Walker was aboard the speedster for his two previous victories, including a zippy five-straight last October, beating DUKE and BOLD AFLAIR. ROJORN DI PILOT next ran one of his best races ever, third behind PRINCE CHARLES and TREVOR’S CHOICE at five furlongs round, beaten by three lengths in an event won in 59.1
Topweight 126lb was too much for ROJORN DI PILOT from post-position one in a 16-horse field at five furlongs straight in November, a near last-place finish which he corrected on February 26, coming off a three-month lay-up with Walker at five furlongs round, winning easily in 1:00.1.