Tue | Nov 5, 2024

Is That A Fact looks quickest

Published:Thursday | September 12, 2024 | 12:06 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
IS THAT A FACT, ridden by Shavon Townsend, wins the three-year-old and upwards graded Thoroughbred Racing Hall-of-Fame Stakes Trophy over six furlongs at Caymanas Park in June.
Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer
IS THAT A FACT, ridden by Shavon Townsend, wins the three-year-old and upwards graded Thoroughbred Racing Hall-of-Fame Stakes Trophy over six furlongs at Caymanas Park in June.

WHENEVER CONVENIENT, punters claim that time only matters when you are in jail. However, IS THAT A FACT galloping 1:06.0 for five and a half furlongs last Saturday, a full second faster than DESERT OF MALIBU, cannot be ignored in Saturday’s None Such Trophy at six furlongs.

Both United States-bred runners have distinguished themselves as crack grade-one material. Sparingly raced, DESERT OF MALIBU has won seven of her nine starts, actually passing the post in front on eight occasions, disqualified twice and reinstated once.

IS THAT A FACT has won nine of 18 starts, particularly busy this season with eight outings, split evenly between wins and second-place finishes. DESERT OF MALIBU returns off a five-month break, having faced the starter four times this year, winning her last two, including a disqualification overturned in the boardroom at the Jamaica Racing Commission.

The tale of the tape shows IS THAT A FACT tackling mainly middle-distances whereas DESERT OF MALIBU has only once gone beyond six furlongs, suggesting that the sprint trip should suit the five-year-old mare.

However, IS THAT A FACT’s exercise form, the handicaps, and presence of stablemate MADELYN’S SUNSHINE point to yet again another classic Jason DaCosta relay out to unfold.

Though not exactly the quickest down the backstretch, IS THAT A FACT is no slouch. MADELYN’S SUNSHINE is a natural speedster with nothing to lose on the lead, sharing common ownership with IS THAT A FACT.

Capable of churning out a five-furlong split of 59.0-plus, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE’s job will be to keep DESERT OF MALIBU as honest as possible for IS THAT A FACT to pounce in the stretch run. Carrying 116lb with Tevin Foster, MADELYN’S SUNSHINE is in receipt of seven pounds from DESERT OF MALIBU, who will have to be ridden with the rabbit in mind.

Sitting only three pounds off topweight IS THAT A FACT, who has the services of bustling Robert Halledeen, DESERT OF MALIBU will have to be at her best to escape the DaCosta tag team, a task made even more difficult reporting off a lengthy lay-up.

Hand it to DaCosta, he will get them every time with the same tactic, which few escape in Grade One.