Banadura fires the first salvo in Hot Line Stakes
AFTER finishing eighth by over 30 lengths in the Jamaica Two-year-old Stakes (one mile), on December 26, 2023, and a poor seasonal debut on February 24, the Jason Dacosta-trained Banadura returned on Saturday, March 24, 2024, to spank rivals in the 30th running of the Hotline Stakes.
The Hotline Stakes, an important prep race on the road to the Triple Crown series of races for native-bred three-year-old fillies, was contested over six furlongs.
Banadura by Casual Trick out of Esperanza, owned by Milad Azan and ridden by Robert Halledeen, won by three lengths in 1:15.3 (23.2 x 48.0), defeating Cryptogirl (Omar Walker) and Comehometome (Reyan Lewis).
This was a loud and clear signal that Banadura is going to be a telling force during the Classic series of races, especially in the fillies’ sections — the Jamaica 1000 Guineas and Jamaica Oaks.
Azan said that his charge should continue to do well in the preparation races leading up to the Classics. These races on the journey are the Thornbird stakes (7 furlongs) and The Portmore (7 ½ furlongs).
“I am so elated. I mean, the performance from Banadura was really good and I am happy,” Azan told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.
“I think I have a fantastic trainer and Banadura is an excellent horse. I think we have good hope for her.
“She wasn’t ready for that long distance where she finished down the track in the Jamaica Two-year-old Stakes race last year. The trainer had said they are working on it which the rest made up for everything here,” he said.
Banadura took the lead at the start but Halledeen backed the far-striding filly off the pace, allowing Cryptogirl to take control at the five-furlong marker. Banadura followed Cryptogirl around the half-mile (800m) turn before recovering the lead shortly after turning for home.
With a couple of change of holds and a few cracks of the whip by Halledeen, Banadura responded by pulling away to secure victory.