Fri | Jul 24, 2026

DaCosta holds key to Hall of Fame Stakes

Published:Saturday | June 4, 2011 | 12:00 AM
EMERGENCE, running at odds of 5-1 with Richard 'Bya' Mitchell aboard, wins the third race over the straight five ahead of POSSE TRAIN (left) and the favourite REGIONAL CHARMER, who finished fifth in the muddy conditions, at Caymanas Park on Wednesday. The winner is owned by Shaft and trained by Fitznahum Williams. - Colin Hamilton/freelance photographer

Orville Clarke , Gleaner Writer

Ten-time champion trainer Wayne DaCosta, who is on the verge of regaining the lead from Classic-winning trainer Gary Subratie in the trainers' champion-ship, should win the 16th running of the Jamaica Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame Stakes Trophy over 1200 metres for open allowance horses at Caymanas Park today, with one of his three declared starters.

He saddles ante-post favourite SIR VON, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING and NEW KINGSTON, all reporting in good nick for this valuable feature race, sponsored by the Jamaica Racing Commission on its annual Prelude to Derby 'Hall of Fame' raceday.

The 11-race card will also feature the annual walkstackle for charity - over 200 metres - on which betting will be conducted (proceeds are in aid of Children First); and the Ren Gonzalves Memorial Cup (overnight allowance) over 2000 metres, to be contested by nine starters, including top contenders PRINCE ROHAN and the Subratie-trained BURST OF ENERGY.

The Hall of Fame Awards Dinner will take place on the night of Thursday, June 9, at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel.

Close battle

Although SIR VON and LIFE-ISJUSFORLIVING should have a close battle for favouritism in the six-horse field, DaCosta should be wary of Subratie.

The leading trainer saddles the much-improved American filly, DANCE SO SWEET, who failed in her bid for the hat-trick on May 23 when beaten a neck by Peter-John Scully's BRASH & SASSY in a fast-run, straight-five race in which the then favourite, SIR VON, was only a length away third.

At the revised weights, SIR VON, who carries a mere 50kg, should beat both BRASH & SASSY and DANCE SO SWEET.

Von White's speedy American four-year-old colt is 2.5kg better off at the weights, with BRASH & SASSY at the same time enjoying a 5kg swing with DANCE SO SWEET.

DaCosta was extremely peeved after the running of the May 23 race, complaining that SIR VON was repeatedly hindered by the speedy BOLDLY FORMAL and this could have cost him the race.

SIR VON, who had previously beaten DANCE SO SWEET and subsequent winner SUPER DAVE by three lengths over the straight on March 26, really looks tempting at the weights with 50kg and bustling Aaron Chatrie aboard.

Despite the sound claims of the 2010 Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup) winner, LIFEISJUSFORLIVING, who looks nicely in with 52kg and Georgina Sergeon aboard, SIR VON has so much in his favour today that he is confidently expected to recoup losses in this small field.

He has looked sharp at exercise and, having secured a good draw at post position five, catches my fancy.

Other firm fancies on the card are BURST OF ENERGY to stave off PRINCE ROHAN in the seventh, MAAS LAURIE in the second, SECRET WEAPON in the fourth, SEARCHING FOR GOLD in the sixth and KACEY'S POPS KID in the ninth.