KINGSTON, Jamaica - THREE-YEAR-OLD American-bred dark bay filly Madelyn’s Sunshine made it two wins from as many starts in a Restricted Stakes contest for three-year-olds and upwards over 6½ furlongs (1,300m) on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
Owned by Carlton Watson and trained by Jason DaCosta, Madelyn’s Sunshine by Joe’s Son Joey out of Madelyn’s Finest made all the running to win by 2½ lengths in a time of 1:20.3.
Madelyn’s Sunshine came out of the starting gates in good order and surged to the front ahead of Berning Red (Dick Cardenas) and Golden Wattle, the mount of Tevin Foster, down the backstretch.
Navigating the half-mile turn, Madelyn’s Sunshine was challenged by Golden Wattle who then failed to keep up with the foreigner on the home turn.
Although it looked as if Berning Red had a sniff of overhauling the leader inside the final furlong (200m), Madelyn’s Sunshine accelerated and got home with two lengths to spare. Berning Red was second and Golden Wattle third.
“This was a workmanlike performance from Madelyn’s Sunshine. The key is that she [Madelyn’s Sunshine] is getting the job done. She has a lot more scope to improve and so, if she stays sound and healthy, she can develop into a very nice horse for the rest of the year.
“Madelyn’s Sunshine has one more Restricted Stakes race and that’s where the target is at the moment,” DaCosta said in his post-race interview.
When asked about his chances of winning the trainers’ championship this season, DaCosta, who is the current leader, was guarded in his response.
“That’s a very long way ahead. I am not thinking about that right now, I am just trying to win as many races as I can,” he said.
