Atomica on her way to Portmore
All attention will be fixed on The Portmore, a native-bred three-year-old Grade Two event for fillies, only, which is the final stop for this grouping on the ‘Road to the Triple Crown.’ The Triple Crown races are the 1000 and 2000 Guineas (one mile), the Jamaica St Leger (10 furlongs) and the Jamaica Derby (12 furlongs).
The 7½-furlong (1,500m) The Portmore takes place tomorrow (Saturday, May 7) at Caymanas Park and sees nine runners taking part, for a total purse of $3 million. Headlining The Portmore is the expected clash between Atomica and champion two-year-old of 2021, Golden Wattle.
Below is the analysis of the participants in draw order.
1. FLY MESSENGER FLY: (3 ch f by Northern Giant – Preach Preacher)– Fly Messenger Fly has raced 16 times winning once and that win record should remain the same after this race.
2. NEFERTARI: (3 b f by Savoy Stomp – Princess Geeta)– Flopped when finishing ninth by 28 lengths over 7 ½ furlongs on April 17 behind Power and Gilbert. Something was not right with Nefertari that day but turning around 28 lengths here against the best of the three-year-old fillies, is going to be a difficult task. The Portmore will define the future aspirations of Nefertari. Note, Nefertari races with the visor on.
3. SUNSET SILHOUTTE: (3 b f by Northern Giant – Ahwhofah) – Finally came good on her fifth career start when easily putting away rivals (fillies only) over seven furlongs (1,400m) on April
17. Then Sunset Silhoutte won by four lengths in a time of 1:27.3 which gave an indication that this well-bred filly (half-sister to She’s A Maneater) is getting her act together. While repeating in The Portmore is not on the agenda, Sunset Silhoutte can surprise by finding a place on the board.
4. PRNCSSHOOTINGSTAR: (3 b f by Buzz Nightmare – Khaleesi’s Revenge) – Good filly who was fourth behind Atomica, Golden Wattle, and Silent Mission in the recent Thornbird Stakes. With the trio still present here, Prncsshootingstar’s chance of making the top three is slim. Prncsshootingstar will be on the headlines but based on her past form, 7 ½ furlongs will be taxing.
5. ATOMICA: (3 b f by Nuclear Wayne – Honkeytonkville)– Unbeaten in three career starts, Atomica became the leading filly heading into the Classics after an impressive six lengths win in the Thornbird Stakes (seven furlongs) on April 2. Atomica again faces most of her recent rivals but has risen in the scale considerably, especially when matched against her main rival Golden Wattle. This filly has already shown that she can be on the headlines or come from behind making it difficult to go against her. Atomica has been travelling well at exercise, galloping an easy 1:13.3 for six furlongs on Sunday morning (May 1, 2022).
6. OUR ANGEL: (3 b f by Savoy Stomp – Myangel) – Can’t handle these and should be left behind.
7. RUPUNZEL: (3 b f by Savoy Stomp – Miss Pasion)– Cannot be recommended for a winning run. Note, Rupunzel recently changed stable moving from trainer Phillip Elliott to Patrick Fong.
8. GOLDEN WATTLE: (3 ch f by Lion Tamer – Golden Glory) – Performed well on her seasonal debut (April 24) when finishing second to Atomica in the Thornbird Stakes. Golden Wattle must have benefited from that run and now going half-furlong longer, and based on her running style of coming from behind, can turn the tables on Atomica and defeat the rest as well.
9. SILENT MISSION: (3 b f by Savoy Stomp – Lady Mandi) – Capable sort who should run a decent race without troubling the principals.