In the 20-year history of Caymanas Park, it is doubtful whether any previous renewals of the premiere classic fulfilled the usual pre-race interest and speculation generated, as did the Derby of 1979.

When the day of reckoning arrived, the customary packed stands were on hand to shout and cheer. After the usual tense moments of anxiety and anticipation it was like a bomb blast when the starter sent them off. Christmas Fire was the first to show, but as they thundered up the straight and passed the stands for the first time, the favourite Bold Magic, with apprentice Alton Andrade in the saddle, was hurried into the lead.

Bold Magic lost a considerable amount of ground in the mile turn, but kept on bowling merrily in front followed by Nursery Rhyme, Robin Goodfellow and Mr. LSQ.

Their positions remained unchanged for the first part of the backstretch and it was not until they approached the half-mile marker that the race was on in earnest. At this stage Atta Boy, He’s A Native, Lucky Ole Sun and Mr. LSQ all converged on the leader as Robin Goodfellow and Nursery Rhyme fell back.

As they swung into the final two-furlong turn for home Lucky, Ole Sun, with Emelio Rodriquez at the helm, got a smooth run on the inside rails and when they straightened up it was Lucky Ole Sun on the rails, Bold Magic in the middle and Atta Boy on the outside, all three abreast. Bold Magic soon fell back as Atta Boy and Lucky Old Sun began what was to be a memorable stretch duel.

As the two raced neck and neck up the straight, Lover Boy Ces, with Fitzroy Gillespie in the saddle, came with a storming run on the outside. With a furlong to go, it appeared as though Lucky Ole Sun was pulling away, but Atta Boy refused to give up the challenge and plugged away gamely as Neville Anderson asked him for a final effort. At the same time Lover Boy Ces appeared to be gaining on the leaders with every stride.

There were deafening cheers as the three flashed past the winning posts heads on, with the supporters of all three claiming victory simultaneously. The judges took some time before arriving at the final decision. The winner was Lucky Ole Sun by a head from Atta Boy who beat Lover Boy Ces by a neck. Time of the race was 2.35 1/5.

The connections of Atta Boy objected to the winner, claiming interference in the final furlong of the race. This objection was over-ruled by the Stewards of the meeting. Subsequently an appeal against this decision was lodged to the Jamaica Racing Commission, but this appeal was dismissed, and Lucky Ole Sun remained the winner of the Jamaica Derby of 1979.