THE most sought after prize in local horse racing for native-bred three-year-olds, the $7 million Jamaica Derby sponsored by Vivobarefoot, is expected to be one of the most unpredictable and closely contested races in the 93rd running at Caymanas Park today.

A full field of 16 — four of whom are fillies — will go to post time at approximately 5:20 pm, while first post will be at 11:40 am.

The leading contenders will include Triple Crown-seeking Willie Goldsmith trained by Patrick Chang, along with Bigman In Town trained by Gary Subratie, Uncle Taf trained by Owen Sharpe, and Perfect Neighbour, Hover Craft and Royal Vibes trained by Wayne DaCosta.

At a glance these six runners look to be among the most competitive at present, but in a field as unpredictable as this one is, any of the other 10 competitors could come out of hiding and create another stunning upset as this particular event is wont to do.

Willie Goldsmith looks ready and well while finishing seven lengths fourth going 1,600 metres in his final prep on May 23.

It was his first loss in five starts, but is was against seasoned campaigners. Since then he has gone through his paces at exercise in his unpretentious manner while building his endurance levels to meet the gruelling two-turn gallop challenge.

Owned by WB Racing, Willie Goldsmith is a chestnut gelding by Traditional out of Gracious Gift (Law Of The Sea) bred by Michael Lyncook.

His breeding suggests that he will get the distance comfortably and now back among his peers, will definitely make a bold bid to keep Triple Crown ambitions intact.

He will, however, face by far more competition here than he did in the 2000 Guineas when he was aided by a stretch-run tussle between Crucial Appeal and Big Man In Town along the running rails. That along with the late arrival of Perfect Neighbour could pave the way for victory. Jockey Shane Ellis, who so aptly seized the moment, will again ride Willie Goldsmith.

Jockey Omar Walker was out manoeuvred in the 2000 Guineas aboard Big Man In Town to finish a disappointing third, and is given a grand opportunity to make amends with the distance increased. At 2,400 metres the pace shouldn’t be as hectic, and that should provide a little more time to relax his mount. And under a more patient ride this could pay huge dividends for owner Baskaran Bassawh and trainer Gary Subratie, as the Cowtown Cat colt has so far exhibited no stamina limitations.

Perfect Neighbour gives the impression that he will stay much better than either Willie Goldsmith or Big Man In Town, but may lack the class. He arrived a trifle late in the 2000 guineas and was touched off at the wire by a short head by winner Willie Goldsmith.

He nonetheless returned four weeks later to win going 1,600 metres in a much better time than in the Guineas. Using the Lotto Classic for the Governor’s Cup as his final prep Perfect Neighbour closed steadily but mildly to be fourth behind winner Uncle Taf, Big Man In Town and stablemate Rum Punch.

All three are again present and with the distance increased, so would be the chances of this dark bay gelded son of Natural Selection out of Desperatehousewife (Ghost Ransom).

He will exit barrier #6 and to aid expectations of a grand performance trainer DaCosta has utilised the overseas services of the multiple Graded Stakes winning American jockey Orlando Bocachica, who from 6,780 rides has secured 971 winners, 959 seconds and 844 third place. Bocachica last rode here two years ago and won one race.

Stablemate Hover Craft, who will shoot from barrier 16 ridden by Richard Mitchell will also seek to improve his win record as the talented bay gelded son of He’stherealthing has not visited the winner’s enclosure since his big victory in the rich SVL Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes on Boxing Day last year. He was a late non-starter for his prep in the Governor’s Cup but looked himself in his final preparation and being well drawn and the weight of 57.0kg not a problem, will be closing for his piece of the pie.

Ones To Watch:

Race 1 Abram Star (Romario Saunders)

Race 2 I Am Thankful (Prince Holder)

Race 3 Insane Bolt (Orlando Bocachica)

Race 4 The Grey Gullion (Shane Ellis)

Race 5 Rio Cobre (Dane Nelson)

Race 6 Rock “A” Way (Dane Nelson)

Race 7 Madiba (Shane Ellis)

Race 8 Pegasus (Orlando Foster)

Race 9 Great Like That (Paul Francis)

Race 10 Royal Line (Orlando Bocachica)

Race 11 Hover Craft (Richard Mitchell)

Race 12 Fierceandfabulous (Dane Nelson)