Thu | May 9, 2024

Speedy Is that A Fact the Poorlittlerichgirl horse to beat

Published:Thursday | September 14, 2023 | 12:11 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
IS THAT A FACT, ridden by Reyan Lewis, wins the Arthur Jones Memorial Cup over six furlongs, a three-year-old and upwards overnight allowance stakes at Caymanas Park on August 19.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
IS THAT A FACT, ridden by Reyan Lewis, wins the Arthur Jones Memorial Cup over six furlongs, a three-year-old and upwards overnight allowance stakes at Caymanas Park on August 19.

IS THAT A FACT’s weapon, speed and more speed, should suit him well from pole-position one in Saturday’s Poorlittlerichgirl at an ideal seven furlongs.

The speedy and in-form American sits level with local-breds, who have shown nothing close to his form, bar 2021 Jamaica Cup winner, FURTHER AND BEYOND, who is on the comeback trail, notching an overnight-allowance win in June on his second run off a one-year lay-up.

Tackling eight locals and fellow American JORDON REIGN’S, United States-bred IS THAT A FACT appears all set to enjoy another gate-to-wire romp on his march to grade one.

FURTHER AND BEYOND being unable to race in almost three months since returning to active competition, suggests the former top-class campaigner, similar to JORDON REIGN’S, has issues, making them extremely vulnerable to super-fit IS THAT A FACT.

Unbeaten in his last three starts, IS THAT A FACT dismissed JORDON REIGN’s local-bred stablemate, ROJORN DI PILOT, with almost disdain at six furlongs on August 19, clocking 1:13.0 for six furlongs.

ROJORN DI PILOT returned two weeks ago to turn back proven American, I’VE GOT MAGIC, at five furlongs straight, franking IS THAT A FACT’s awesome form.

Though he’s making his open-allowance debut, IS THAT A FACT doesn’t have much to fear against the local-breds in the nine-horse line-up, his only possible worry being whether JORDON REIGN’S has rounded into form with one run under his girth off an eight-month break.

JORDON REIGN’S clocked 1:27.2for seven furlongs at exercise on August 28 but reports with topweight 126lb, allowing IS THAT A FACT at least 10lb. Giving up 10lb to in-form IS THAT A FACT, after finishing down the track on his seasonal debut, doesn’t bode well for JORDON REIGN’S despite his being a 2022 Mouttet Mile graduate, placing third behind EXCESSIVE FORCE and DUKE.

Top-rated because of his Mouttet Mile run, followed by an equally impressive second behind MAHOGANY in the Ian Levy four weeks later to close the 2022 season, JORDON REIGN’S eight-month disappearance begs serious questions about his well-being during the break.