Danka eyes redemption in Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile

Trainer Richard Azan’s DANKA is the ante-post favourite for Thursday’s Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes at a mile, the event which traditionally determines the champion local two-year-old.

The small field of six runners, dominated by four fillies, includes three BGLC-TOBA Millionaires Series winners, STRONG MIND, LOVISA and DANKA.

Whereas LOVISA and DANKA have each won $1 million BGLC-TOBA bonuses, the colt, STRONG MIND, took home a $2 million bonus after winning the Miss Ruth at six and a half furlongs, which had a $1 million carryover.

Carl Anderson’s BURNING HEDGE, the mount of Panamanian Dick Cardenas, finished ahead of stablemates DANKA and HAZELNUT, as well as LOVISA, in the seven-furlong Mr Sensational at seven furlongs on November 30.

However, DANKA had suffered traffic problems in the Mr Sensational, a BGLC-TOBA Millionaires Series 2 event for local and imported runners, maidens and winners.

DANKA was forced down to the rail in the stretch run by United States-bred winner, UNSPUN, while she was about to make a bid at BURNING HEDGE, who had slipped to the lead past LOVISA and HAZELNUT coming off the home turn.

Taken in hand by Tevin Foster and switched wide for the second time, DANKA had to settle for third behind BURNING HEDGE and the far-striding winner, UNSPUN.

DANKA, partnered by title-chasing Foster, has since worked extremely well, seven furlongs out the mile chute in 1:28.0. Sired by Oakridge Farms’ first-season stallion, Aveenu Malcainu (Into Mischief-Island Time), DANKA follows in the steps of her dam, Baby P, was among the runners in the 2015 Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes.

DANKA’s stablemate, HAZELNUT, could play rabbit with 2022 champion jockey, Dane Dawkins. The Soul Warrior-Money Magnet offspring had pressed LOVISA on the lead in the Mr Sensational before BURNING HEDGE took over.

Thursday’s 10-race card, which runs off at noon, is part of Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited’s  ‘Seven Days of Christmas’ holiday horse-racing extravaganza.