Champion coach Jason DaCosta’s local-based American, FUNCAANDUN, at first rate odds of 17-1, outbattled Gulfstream Park invader, LEGACY ISLE, to win Saturday’s US$250,000 Mouttet Mile by a half-length at Caymanas Park.
Ridden by Robert Halledeen for champion proprietor Carlton Watson, FUNCAANDUN, a three-year-old son of Klimt, by the Empire Maker mare, Fiftyshadesoffun, sat fourth alongside the rail down the backstretch whereas stablemate BANADURA led to the half-mile market.
Rohan Crichton’s race-favourite, LEGACY ISLE, rapidly pounced, evoking reminiscences of his coach’s 2023 victory with ROUGH ENTRY.
Nonetheless, LEGACY ISLE, who left quarantine at Plumb Level, Port Royal, 11 days earlier than the occasion, was worn down by FUNCAANDUN inside shades from the wire, taking place in a driving end underneath Florida-based jockey, Venezuelan Emisael Jaramillo.
Funcaandun, with jockey Robert Halledeen, is led to the winners’ enclosure after securing victory within the US$250,000 Mouttet Mile.
A tearful Halledeen afterwards described successful the occasion as “an exquisite feeling. I am unable to even categorical it.”
DaCosta, who watched his late father, 18-time champion Wayne DaCosta, win Diamond Mile occasions—the predecessor to the Mouttet Mile—with SEEKING MY DREAM and SHE’S A MANEATER, was additionally teary-eyed.
“It means every little thing. It is lots of arduous work. That is simply icing on the cake,” mentioned DaCosta, who returned to Jamaica in 2021 after his father handed in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, ending second within the trainers’ championship to Anthony Nunes that season earlier than taking cost with back-to-back titles, 2022-2023.
DaCosta mentioned FUNCAANDUN, who completed a well-beaten third behind ATOMICA and RUN JULIE RUN within the November 9 Jamaica Cup, delivered on the day that mattered.
“I at all times had excessive hopes for him. He had an excellent marketing campaign this 12 months. He is a three-year-old, at all times bettering. For him to win this race, cements what I anticipated of him.”
Crichton’s different American invader, COMMANDANT, ridden by Dane Nelson, completed third, incomes $3.45 million, looming giant on the surface within the stretch run however was outfinished by FUNCAANDUN and stablemate LEGACY ISLE.
Racing continues on the weekend with Saturday-Sunday meets.
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