DaCosta’s two-timer pushes trainers’ stakes claim
Published:Sunday | April 17, 2022 | 12:11 AMAinsley Walters - Gleaner Writer
LEADER JASON DaCosta opened the Easter Carnival yesterday with a two-timer, including 12-year-old HOVER CRAFT, who outstayed Anthony Nunes’ SUPREME SOUL at nine furlongs and 25 yards, thwarting his rival’s bid to make up ground in the trainers’ stakes race.
DaCosta, who started the day $928,825 clear of reigning three-time champion, Nunes, first struck with 5-1 shot BATON ROUGE at five and a half furlongs, landing the seventh event named for his mother, Elizabeth, on the first of three holiday meets honouring owners.
Nunes, whose howling favourite, EL CID, finished fourth in the opening event for three-year-old maidens, was dealt further disappointment when DaCosta’s HOVER CRAFT turned the tables on his 2019 Triple Crown champion, SUPREME SOUL, in the Jamaica Racehorse Owners’ Association Trophy.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite after an encouraging March 27 second-place run behind CRIMSON at a mile, five lengths ahead of fourth-place HOVER CRAFT, SUPREME SOUL barrelled to the lead leaving the clubhouse turn but was tackled down the backstretch by ROY ROGERS.
However, appearing a shadow of his former self, SUPREME SOUL had to be whipped to keep pace with ROY ROGERS three furlongs out while 51-1 outsider, RAW LIQUID, joined the fray and led into the lane.
BRIEF BATTLE
Renewing his challenge in the stretch run, SUPREME SOUL was joined by a wound-up HOVER CRAFT, who had improved into fourth coming off the turn. The pair battled briefly after overtaking RAW LIQUID before HOVER CRAFT quickened on the outside to win by a length and quarter in 1:58.1.
HOVER CRAFT closed a three-timer for champion jockey Anthony Thomas, moving him to 24 winners, two off Dane Dawkins, three behind leader Dane Nelson, who is set to resume riding at Northlands in Canada after wintering locally.
Thomas had earlier ridden back-to-back winners, BUCKALUCK and RICKY RICARDO, in the fourth and fifth events, respectively.
The Easter Carnival continues this afternoon with a second nine-race card.