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Pair of aces for DaCosta in Chris Armond Memorial

Published:Thursday | December 21, 2023 | 12:11 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
Madelyn’s Sunshine, ridden Reyan Lewis, wins The Naz Hoshay Trophy over six furlongs for horses three years’ old and upwards, an overnight allowance stakes, at Caymanas Park on November 4.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
Madelyn’s Sunshine, ridden Reyan Lewis, wins The Naz Hoshay Trophy over six furlongs for horses three years’ old and upwards, an overnight allowance stakes, at Caymanas Park on November 4.

THINGS COULD get tricky for bettors in Saturday’s Chris Armond Memorial Sprint with champion trainer Jason DaCosta holding the aces, topweight SHE’S MY DESTINY and speedy United States-bred MADELYN’S SUNSHINE, who will report 20lb lighter than her stablemate at five and a half furlongs.

SHE’S MY DESTINY twice beat grade one with featherweights, 100lb in the None Such Sprint and 106lb when collaring MAHOGANY in October’s Gold Cup.

Carrying 117lb in the Mouttet Mile, SHE’S MY DESTINY faced a baptism of speed – MAMA MIA, RUNAWAY ALGO, MAHOGANY ABILITY, and winner ROUGH ENTRY – which she chased but flattened in the stretch run.

Now asked to lug topweight 126lb, the five-year-old mare could come under pressure from unfriendly lightweights, EMPEROROFTHECATS and AMERICAN TAP, carrying 110lb and 115lb, respectively.

Cognisant of the dangers ahead for SHE’S MY DESTINY, DaCosta’s Plan B, which could quickly become Plan A, points clearly to MADELYN’S SUNSHINE, aboard who he has strategically summoned Ramon Nepare to ride at 106lb.

MADELYN’S SUNSHINE failed by a length to pull off a coup at 25-1 in the Port Royal Sprint with 115lb, caught close home by MAHOGANY, who won the six-furlong event in 1:12.0 on November, his prep run ahead of the December 2 Mouttet Mile.

Running strongly against the rail at six and a half furlongs in the Bruceontheloose Sprint on Mouttet Mile Day, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE was badly hindered by DESERT OF MALIBU at the half-mile marker, resulting in the howling favourite being disqualified.

Sitting level at 120lb with DESERT OF MALIBU, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE was holding her own in the speed duel before losing her position to I’VE GOT MAGIC. Chasing DESERT OF MALIBU and I’VE GOT MAGIC to the final furlong, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE was eventually denied third by FREEDOM STREET.

Returning 14lb lighter than her Bruceontheloose Sprint run, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE has nothing to lose and could very well set off in front with 106lb, creating havoc for all, including SHE’S MY DESTINY.

Tactics and jockeys’ instructions will decide which of DaCosta’s charges, SHE’S MY DESTINY, or MADELYN’S SUNSHINE, lands the Chris Armond Sprint. On plain handicaps and with nothing to lose on the lead, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE should go all the way.