Banadura, Ms Cherry main principals in Hotline Stakes contest
The 30th running of the $1.2-million Hotline Stakes officially kick-starts the 2024 ‘Road to the Triple Crown’ series of races for native-bred three-year-old fillies. A field of 10 runners will compete in the Restricted Allowance II contest going 6 furlongs (1,200m).
Below, the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide takes a closer look at the runners and their chances of winning.
1. LUCY IN THE SKY (3 b f by Liquidity – Tap A Bay) – Released the maiden tag in October of last year and has done nothing since in her next six starts.
Luck In The Sky has no chance of winning here.
2. CRYPTOGIRL: (3 ch f by Soul Warrior – Twilight Eruption) – Finished fourth behind She’s A Godgift, Comehometome, and Riches to Rags over the straight (1,000m) on February 3. With second-place Comehometome presence here, along with the promising
Banadura and Ms Cherry, Cryptogirl’s chances of winning are very slim but she is expected to run a good race.
3. LADY LAUREN : (3 b f by Deputy Glitters – Anna) – Got it right on her second attempt in a 6-furlong race on January 20.
Lady Lauren won the race by 5 ¾ lengths in a time of 1:16.2 easily. A good effort is expected from Lady Lauren here.
4. NERISSA’S ANGEL: (3 gr f by Midnight Hawk – Amicable) – Released the maiden tag on February 25 over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m) in a time of 1:10.0.
Nerissa’s Angel is going to find repeating a very tall order.
5. COMEHOMETOME: (3 b f by Northern Giant – Heart of Gold) – Finished in second places in her last three races.
Comehometome has shown promise in her efforts and could spring the surprise.
6. FASTNFURIOUSLINKS: (3 gr/rn f by Casual Trick – Another Fury) – Was expected to do much better than her ninth-place finish by 22 ¼ lengths behind
Amazing Force over 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m) on February 24. An improved runs is expected from Fastnfuriouslinks here.
7. BANADURA: (3 b f by Casual Trick – Esperanza) – Makes her seasonal debut here.
Banadura last competed in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes over one mile (1,600m) on December 26, 2023 where she came home in eighth place by 30 ¼ lengths.
Banadura has been training well since that disappointing run and given her speed; she will have to be caught. Note: Tongue-tie on.
8.MS CHERRY: (3 by f by Sensational Slam – Fiftyshadesofray) – Was backed as the 2-1 favourite in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes over one mile (1,600m) on December 26, 2023.
Ms Cherry finished in sixth place by 17 ¾ length in that race.
Ms Cherry, who is a half-sister to last year’s 2000 Guineas winner
Mojito, has been timely prepared for her seasonal debut and could return with a win. Note: Figure-8 on.
9. O SO SMART: (3 ch f by Soul Warrior – Patchwork) – Is going to be left behind in this one.
10. BLU SENSATION: (3 b f by Sensational Slam – Blues In The Grass) – Should not trouble the main principals here.