IN what was undoubtedly her best performance to date, Thalita, trained by champion conditioner Jason DaCosta, won the 97th running of the $4.5-million Jamaica St Leger Classic race at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Thalitia, who was sent off at 9-1 in a 12-horse field, came from behind competitors in an exciting stretch run to win the Futurity race for native-bred three-year-olds by a six-length margin. The Jamaica St Leger, the second jewel of the Triple Crown series of events, was run over a distance of 10 furlongs (2,000 metres).

Mamma Mia (Phillip Parchment) showed the way at the start of the race and took the field into the clubhouse turn and onto the main track, ahead of Princess Sharon (Youville Pinnock), Sensational Move (Shamaree Muir) and Mojito (Dane Dawkins), with Thalita (Reyan Lewis) close behind.

Mamma Mia continued to lead ahead of Princess Sharon, Sensational Move and Huntsman (Raddesh Roman) down the backstretch, with Thalita yet to make a move.

Thalita began her run as she approached the half-mile (800m) turn, rounding horses to slide down into fourth place and appearing threatening while closing in on the leaders.

Thalita fought Princess Sharon and Mamma Mia for the lead coming off the final turn before taking over the deep stretch. Thalita maintained her pace nicely in the lane and won easily ahead of Money Miser (Tevin Foster) and Princess Sharon.

Thalita (Soul Warrior-Luminous Trieste), owned by Carlton Watson, covered the distance in 2:11.0 (24.1 x 51.1 x 1:15.4 x 1:41.4). Thalita’s victory ensured that there would be no Triple Crown winner this year, since the two runners in contention for the top prize, Mamma Mia and Mojito, placed fifth and eighth, respectively.

It was Lewis’s second winner, having earlier triumphed aboard Zabratone in the ninth race for trainer Nicholas Smith.

Dane Dawkins was the pick among the riders as the champion jockey booted home three winners on the nine-race card, following the abandonment of the second race. Dawkins’ winners were Secret Traveller for trainer Robert Ffrench in the fifth race; Atomica for trainer Gary Subratie in the $1.290 Clovis Metcafe Trophy; and God of Love for trainer Rowan Mathie in the $1.14-million Midnight Angel Trophy.

Lawrence Freemantle was the most successful trainer on the day with two winners. He saddled the Love Of God (Javaniel Patterson) in the first race and Shadowfax (Raddesh Roman) in the third race.

Racing continues next weekend with races on Saturday and Sunday.