KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Mouttet Mile Race Day with its rich purses on offer proved to be the defining moment in the race for the title of champion trainer 2022, but in a completely different manner.
The leader coming into the Mouttet Mile Race Day was Jason DaCosta, who held a $13,252,565 ($65,149,120 - $51,896,555) lead over reigning champion Anthony Nunes. Nunes in turn led third-placed Gary Subratie by 1,038,825
As the day unfolded only DaCosta earned success when Miniature Man in the Chairman’s Plate. DaCosta added to his tally on the day as he also finished second with Lure of Lucy in the Plate. With a bunch of starters on the day, DaCosta was always earning.
In total, DaCosta earned $3,301,230 ($68,450,350 - $65,149,120) during the eleven races on the Mouttet Mile Race Day.
Much was excepted from Subratie in both the Plate and the Mouttet Mile. For Subratie, winning the $10 million first prize offered in the Mouttet was the key to him having any chance of becoming champion trainer.
Racing luck was not on Subratie’s side in the Chairman’s Plate. His charge and pre-race favourite Crimson was knocked off stride resulting in the fall of jockey Anthony Thomas.
The Mouttet Mile itself was Subratie’s trump card. He had three of the 16 starters including pre-race favourite Atomica, Calculus, and Duke.
Atomica and Calculus did not figure in the mix, while Duke, the least fancied of the Subratie trio surprised all by storming home under superb handling by Allen “Bongo John” Maragh to finish second behind winner Excessive Force.
Nunes, truth be told, had few runners on the Mouttet Mile Race Day, and it was highly unlikely that he would have created an impact on either Subratie or DaCosta. Plus, he had to seek an alternative rider for his lone starter in the Mouttet Mile, Oneofakind, after the fall of Thomas.
While nightfall came on the Mouttet Mile Race Day, DaCosta lead stood at $13,462,920.
The major shift in the trainers’ race involved Nunes and Subratie, with the latter moving from third to second, with a more noticeable lead of $3,014, 005.
What is left in the year? The contest seems to be for second place as it is rather difficult to catch DaCosta.
The heavy purse money races left in 2022, are the Chris Armond Sprint, the Ian Levy Trophy, and the Jamaica Two-Year-old Stakes.
The Mouttet Mile Race Day in effect cemented the leadership status of DaCosta.
