DaCosta pulls Classy Prospect from Lotto Classic

Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

Champion trainer Wayne DaCosta disclosed yesterday that one of his four entries, CLASSY PROSPECT, will not face the starter for next Monday's (Labour Day) $3.3 million Lotto Classic for the Governor's Cup - the final prep for the June 12 Jamaica Derby - which is to be run over 2000 metres at Caymanas Park.

His other entries are the 2000 Guineas runner-up LIFEISJUSFORLIVING (56.0kg), the Oaks second-place finisher EXCELLENCE (49.0kg) and TRIAL LAWYER (52.0kg).

Yesterday, DaCosta disclosed that CLASSY PROSPECT would not face the starter.

"He's definitely out of the race," said the nine-time champion trainer. "He has lost some condition (weight) from his last couple of races.

"With the speedy Lifeisjusforliving in the line-up, he won't be able to lead and being a bit of a one-pacer he can't run on."

Class horse

Continuing, DaCosta, by far the season's leading trainer with 41 wins and $23 million in stakes, conceded that LIFEISJUSFORLIVING is "by far the class horse in the race".

Unraced as a two-year-old, the 3-y-o chestnut colt by Region Of Merit out of Bold Queen has won four races from five career starts, his only defeat coming in the April 5 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres, when beaten into second place by the 16-1 outsider, MARK MY WORD.

LIFEISJUSFORLIVING will be ridden as usual by stable jockey Omar Walker, currently the leading rider and the champion jockey as well.

EXCELLENCE, who beat all barring GABIWITZO in the recent Oaks over the Governor's Cup distance of 2000 metres, will have the services of former champion jockey, Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry, while TRIAL LAWYER will be ridden by Allen 'Bungo John' Maragh.

While less than enthusiastic about the chances of TRIAL LAWYER, DaCosta believes the lightly-weighted EXCELLENCE is improving and could rise to the occasion.

"She has a great chance with 49.0kg. considering how well she ran over the distance in the Oaks," he said of the filly, who will race in the green silks of former Government minister, Derrick Smith.

Main hopes

But DaCosta's main hope lies with LIFEISJUSFORLIVING, who is coming off an impressive fast-time victory over 1200 metres on May 12.

"When he lost the 2000 Guineas, the track was ripped and screened that day and this made the going extremely slow," recalls the trainer.

"If the track rides fast on Saturday, I think Lifeisjusforliving has a glorious chance of winning, given his strong pace."

In addition to LIFEISJUSTFORLIVING and EXCELLENCE, other leading lights in what should be a maximum field of 16 are top weight COLONEL WALES, from the Percy Hussey stables; the Anthony Nunes-trained lightweight, JUNIOR MINISTER, who was a fast-finishing third in the 2000 Guineas; and of course, the Colin Ferguson-trained HEARTOFACHAMPION, winner of his last two races after trailing home in the Guineas.