One of many questions heading into the third operating of the Mouttet Mile at Caymanas Park in Kingston, Jamaica, Dec. 7, was whether or not or not anybody would cease coach Rohan Crichton from making it two in a row.
For some time, it appeared the reply could be no with favored Legacy Isle taking the lead simply previous the half-mile mark. However the Kentucky-bred, Jamaica-raced Funcaandun had extra combat late, rallying over the ultimate quarter-mile to win.
The Mouttet Mile’s $250,000 purse is the richest within the English-speaking Caribbean.Â
“It is a fantastic day; we want a couple of extra days like this,” mentioned successful jockey Robert Halledeen.
Pack Performs , one in all 11 American-breds within the discipline, jumped out to an early lead and posted early fractions of :23.58 and :46.81 whereas attempting to maintain Legacy Isle at bay. He fell again to fourth as Legacy Isle’s stablemate Commandant and Funcaandun moved up as they approached the stretch.Join BloodHorse Every day
Legacy Isle opened a two-length lead and was primed to drag away heading for residence. The 4 leaders every took a lane with Legacy Isle driving alongside the rail. Funcaandun obtained his orders to go from Halledeen and charged ahead from the 2 path.Â
“When (Legacy Isle’s jockey Emisael Jaramillo) noticed me on the furlong pole, he began to float out on me, so I believed I’d get aggressive with the stick within the left and let my horse know to go get him, and he did that,” mentioned Halledeen. “He is a beautiful horse.”
Legacy Isle, who posted fractional occasions of 1:12.34 and 1:25.18, now drifted barely away from the rail with Funcaandun bearing down on his outdoors. Twenty-five yards from the tip, the 14-1 underdog took the lead and Halledeen stood up and seemed again as they crossed the wire in 1:38.94.
Commandant completed third.Â
“I used to be simply hopeful. I noticed him final time (within the Jamaica Cup) grinding away, grinding away and I used to be simply hoping that he would rise up in time and he did,” mentioned coach Jason DaCosta.
The race supplied DaCosta with a contented ending to his 12 months. In March, he was suspended 15 days after his trainee, Poker Associate , examined optimistic for gabapentin in a July 2023 postrace check at Presque Isle Downs.
“It is a variety of arduous work,” he mentioned. “I do know racing has a variety of ups and downs; for each up there are three or 4 downs. That is particular.”
Funcaandun is by Klimt , winner of the 2016 Del Mar Futurity (G1), and was bred by Invoice and Phyllis Adair, and Connie Brown. He’s owned by Carlton Watson.Â
The colt is 8-2-1 from 11 begins, all at Caymanas Park.
The race was broadcast in america on Fox Sports activities at the side of the New York Racing Affiliation. So as to proceed the expansion of the Mouttet Mile, NYRA officers are discussing organising a win-and-in state of affairs for the race with a contest on the New York circuit.
“It could be like a New York-bred form of factor,” mentioned NYRA president and CEO Dave O’Rourke. “It form of matches the category horse. … We’re simply going to maintain taking part in with concepts, and a few will work, some will not, however that is enjoyable. They’re constructing one thing from the bottom up right here, and you may form of see what they’re doing and coming right here and experiencing it.”
Editor’s Be aware: BloodHorse’s protection of the Mouttet Mile is funded with journey supplied by the Jamaican Tourism Board.
