Mamma Mia cashes in on first leg of Triple Crown
In a bold front-running display, the Jason DaCosta-conditioned Mamma Mia outsprinted rivals to win the 18th running of the $3.25-million Cash Pot “Only One For Me” Trophy, the main attraction on the 11-race card at Caymanas Park on Saturday.
Bred by Soul Warrior out of the Royal Minister mare Princess Geeta, Mamma Mia won by a length and a half in an electrifying run ahead of Mojito and Royal Ash in the native-bred two-year-old Restricted Stakes contest over six furlongs (1,200m).
The contest was the first leg of the ultra-rich and prestigious Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) ‘Triple Crown’ Series.
The second leg in the series is scheduled for November 26 with the running of Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy over seven furlongs (1,400m) and the third and final leg is to be run on December 27 (Boxing Day) with the running of the SVL Two-Year-Old Stakes over one mile (1,600m).
Meanwhile, jockey Robert Halledeen sent Mamma Mia on her way from the start and the chestnut filly easily led ahead of stablemate Thalita (Anthony Thomas) and Royal Ash (Reyan Lewis). Going into the half-mile turn, Mamma Mia upped the tempo a bit and increased her lead ahead of rivals and looked very much in control entering the straight.
Mijoto (Dane Dawkins) came up to challenge Mamma Mia in deep stretch, but the latter, who was well-balanced under Halledeen, responded well to the confrontation and hit another gear, winning comfortably in the end. Mojito did well for second place, with Royal Ash pushing up for third.
Mamma Mia, who was registering her second-consecutive win in as many starts, won in a time of 1:13.2 backed by splits of 23.1 x 47.0.
It was the second winner on the day for DaCosta as the current leading trainer had earlier opened the programme with Ianzha Links (Abigail Able). Halledeen returned and booted home Duke, trained by Gary Subratie, in the Cash Pot “Super Dash” Trophy for his double also.
Also with two winners was jockey Paul “Country” Francis. Francis was successful aboard Kay Boy in the sixth race for trainer Dale Murphy and Phoenix Risen in the ninth race for trainer Ryan Darby.
Racing continues today with a 10-race card. Post time is 11:30 am.