Thornbird test for Bootylicious

BOOTYLICIOUS GETS her first real test in Saturday’s Thornbird Stakes but has worked like a house on fire for her date with rivals who acquitted themselves well behind the colt MOJITO in December’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes.

Having raced once as a two-year-old, debuting with a 15-length win at five and a half furlongs early November, BOOTYLICIOUS, 1:06.2, made her an overnight favourite for the Jamaica Two-Year-old Stakes. However, shin issues sidelined the Key To Power-Keep The Faith speedster, who returned as a three-year-old mid-February, toying with BURLAP before being given reminders in the stretch run at six furlongs, clocking 1:14.1.

While BOOTYLICIOUS was laid-up, LEGIT BOSS and MAMMA MIA were trading places in races. LEGIT BOSS rallied from off the pace to notch a 13-1 upset, sweeping past the speedster in the Pick 3 Super Challenge at seven furlongs, late November.

In the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, MAMMA MIA was softened up on the lead by BURLAP before stablemate MOJITO poked his head in front at the half-mile marker and bounded away approaching the final turn for a two-and-a-half length win.

MAMMA MIA was joined a half-furlong out by LEGIT BOSS in mid-track but rallied along the rail to force a dead heat for second, continuing their fillies’ rivalry, which comes to a head in the Thornbird with BOOTYLICIOUS in the mix.

BOOTYLICIOUS’ warm-up victory off a three-month break must be respected. Reporting with a half-mile in 51.3 as a ‘speed gallop’, she sauntered in splits of 22.3, 34.3, 47.1 and 59.4, kicking a half-furlong out when Reyan Lewis reminded her she was actually in a race.

Tightening the screws at exercise for MAMMA MIA’s speed, Ian Parsard watched BOOTYLICIOUS clock 1:00.2 for five furlongs out the mile chute on March 13 and 1:29.3 at seven, two Mondays past, finishing ahead of the most feared horse in training, stablemate MAHOGANY.

Whether MAHOGANY was easy in that workout, BOOTYLICIOUS’ preparation for the Thornbird, getting five pounds from MAMMA MIA, has her winning that expected speed duel. MAMMA MIA’s February 22 prep was a friendly against five of her stablemates and a no-hoper, making her suspect against a well-oiled BOOTYLICIOUS.

LEGIT BOSS got into a fray on the lead with AWESOME ANTHONY a month ago and fell prey to her own stablemate, G T BOY, the second time she has wilted at five and a half furlongs, beaten by THALITA as a two-year-old in October, suggesting she is better served minding her own business from off the pace.

All told, BOOTYLICIOUS’ form at exercise and response when tackled by BURLAP, suggests she should take control of the Thornbird and fly away from rivals in the stretch run.