Comehometome to turn the tables on Banadura
Published:Thursday | May 2, 2024 | 12:14 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
ROBERT HALLEDEEN should thank his lucky stars that the stewards were in a good mood, or probably had too long a day, not to have been disqualified for his antics aboard BANADURA when beating stablemate COMEHOMETOME in the Thornbird Stakes three weeks ago.
Setting sail for home aboard BANADURA, who had dismissed CRYPTOGIRL to land the six-furlong Hotline Stakes three weeks prior, Halledeen resorted to right-hand whipping, causing Jerome Innis to snatch COMEHOMETOME and change course when motoring along the rail.
COMEHOMETOME actually lost the length she had gained on BANADURA a furlong out, losing by a length and a quarter in what would have been a different outcome had she been allowed a trouble-free run by her stablemate.
Returning with leading rider Tevin Foster replacing Jerome Innis, COMEHOMETOME could turn the tables on BANADURA in Saturday’s Portmore, especially if her stablemate is bothered by speedy CRYPTOGIRL, who is back with tongue-tie fitted.
CRYPTOGIRL had skipped the Thornbird Stakes in favour of a five and a half furlong, non-winners-of-two in which she was caught by 11-1 outsider O SO SMART. Ironically, it was COMEHOMETOME, who had hassled CRYPTOGIRL on the lead, which O SO SMART capitalised on by pouncing on a collapsing pace.
COMEHOMETOME was on a rather quick turnaround after placing third in the Hotline Stakes nine days prior, a sneaky work detail, suggesting that the bred-to-stay filly was being sharpened for the longer Thornbird Stakes.
COMEHOMETOME’s dam, Heart of Gold, was bred and trained by Jason DaCosta’s late father, 18-time champion conditioner Wayne DaCosta. A 2010 Governor General’s Stakes winner, HEART OF GOLD finished third to 2008 Triple Crown winner, ALSAFRA, in the 1000 Guineas and Jamaica Oaks.
Bred to stay, COMEHOMETOME’s launching run in the Thornbird, rallying to lose by a length and a quarter, after interference, suggests she should enjoy the extra half-furlong as opposed to BANADURA, who will again try making all with questionable stamina imitations.