Stick with Burning Hedge, Prince Roy

by

April 10, 2025

Photo

Tevin Foster raises his arm in celebration after guiding BARNABY to a narrow win over ATOMICA in the Ian Levy Cup over 8 1/2 furlongs at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

REGGAE 6 bettors hunting Saturday's single-winner bonus of $13.9 million have been thrown curve balls in the fifth and sixth events, the seven-furlong Thornbird and Prince Consort Stakes for classic-bound fillies and colts and geldings, respectively.

However, punters should have no fear of either Guineas prep, especially the Thornbird Stakes, which should be a mere formality for Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes winner BURNING HEDGE, whose two outings this season were against Mouttet Mile runners, exercise gallop for a fillies-only showdown against her peers.

The Prince Consort might appear trickier but should result in PRINCE ROY avenging his three-quarter length defeat to HONOUR PRINCE in the six-furlong Sir Howard Stakes.

Sired by Here Comes Ben out of the Legal Process mare, Princess Shine, PRINCE ROY is a half-brother to Prince Marshall, a decent middle-distance runner during his time. His Sir Howard Stakes run suggests he should be the horse to beat at the extended trip.

PRINCE ROY had a troubled trip in the stretch run after racing fifth along the rail down the backstretch while speedy ANOTHER ONE set the pace ahead of SENSATIONAL SOUL and STRONG MIND.

PRINCE ROY actually swooped within striking distance coming off the home turn. However, STRONG MIND darted to the rail two furlongs out, taking PRINCE ROY's ground, forcing Reyan Lewis to change lanes while HONOUR PRINCE was under a full drive by Phillip Parchment, attacking leader ANOTHER ONE.

A seven-length victor when getting off the mark at six and a half furlongs in his previous race, PRINCE ROY closed willingly to get within three-quarter length of HONOUR PRINCE, catching the winner with every stride before the post intervened.

A clean trip should give PRINCE ROY the measure of HONOUR PRINCE, STRONG MIND and MARK MY IDENTITY.

PRINCE ROY's improvement was magnified when winning on his third start, turning the tables on SENSATIONAL SOUL, who had beaten him by almost five lengths on his second outing.

Jason DaCosta's pair, I DREAM AGAIN and RUNAWAY STAR are hunting back-to-back wins. I DREAM AGAIN made all at five and a half furlongs, winning in 1:08.0 on his March 5 debut.

I DREAM AGAIN's running style suggests he will be up with the leaders, STRONG MIND and HONOUR PRINCE, a pace which should collapse at seven furlongs.

sports@gleanerjm.com