King Arthur takes Jamaica Derby crown
Published:Sunday | November 1, 2020 | 12:17 AMAinsley Walters - Sunday Gleaner Writer
KING ARTHUR started the day as a non-winner-of-three races and went home as the 18-1 Jamaica Derby winner, scoring a thrilling half-length win over St Leger winner, NIPSTER, and the game filly, ANOTHER AFFAIR.
WOW WOW, the 9-5 favourite, and St Leger runner-up, faded out of contention down the backstretch and was never a factor.
MAHOGANY chased NIPSTER and WOW WOW’s stablemate, ANOTHER AFFAIR, down the backstretch while KING ARTHUR lurked third with ONEOFAKIND running alongside.
ANOTHER AFFAIR turned for home with KING ARTHUR and ONE OF A KIND charging at her while NIPSTER reproduced his St Leger rail run.
KING ARTHUR overpowered the filly a half-furlong out, tightening the space along the rail, just enough to steal home from NIPSTER, denying the trainer-owner combination of Gary Subratie and MICHROS a sweep of the 2000 Guineas, St Leger and Derby.
KING ARTHUR gave owner Carlton Watson and jockey Phillip Parchment their first derby winner and trainer Wayne DaCosta his sixth, the last being Triple Crown winner, SHE’S A MANEATER, in 2017.
Racing continues at Caymanas Park tomorrow with a nine-race card, featuring the Cash Pot Trophy at six furlongs for two-year-olds.