United States-bred FUNCAANDUN aims at a fourth consecutive win at Caymanas Park and third against local-bred Horse of the Year, ATOMICA, in Saturday’s Jamaica Cup at nine and a half furlongs.
FUNCAANDUN’s victories against ATOMICA were achieved with the help of speedy MAMMA MIA, who chased the defending two-time Jamaica Cup winner off the lead, setting up both races for her stablemate.
There will be no pacesetter in FUNCAANDUN’s corner, giving ATOMICA every chance to turn the tables on the foreigner. However, this year’s Jamaica Derby runner-up, RUN JULIE RUN, reports pretty light at 116lb with fair speed, having made all to win at a mile in 1:38.1 on October 5.
Though ATOMICA’s pace can wreck any rival, a stalking FUNCAANDUN cannot be written off though he has no rabbit to do his dirty work.
An improving three-year-old, FUNCAANDUN has youth on his side whereas ATOMICA is fast approaching the breeding shed as a five-year-old.
RUN JULIE RUN might not have the class to beat the top guns but she is a brave warrior, who could cause problems for ATOMICA by hanging around long enough on the lead with title-chasing Raddesh Roman to set up the pace for FUNCAANDUN under Robert Halledeen.
Another hot clash on the 10-race card is the six-furlong Port Royal Sprint, pitting another five-year-old mare, DESERT OF MALIBU, against fellow importee, lightning-fast three-year-old, PACK PLAYS, who sauntered 1:17.3 for six and a half furlongs on his September 21 local debut.
Roman is aboard DESERT OF MASLIBU, who dismissed WALL STREET TRADER and IS THAT A FACT with disdain, clocking 1:10.4 for six furlongs on September 14.
PACK PLAYS, a winner of three races in North America, has blinding speed and has been leaving skid marks at exercise, which should make him start favourite from post-position one with Dick Cardenas aboard.
First post for the Jamaica Day programme is 11:30 am.
