Teflon Don ‘in the glass’
Apopular saying in local racing is “in the glass”, effectively referring to when a horse gains victory on the line with the shortest margin possible.
After an exhilarating battle involving Teflon Don and Magnificent Force down the five-straight chute on Saturday, May 11, 2024, it was the former, ridden by Tevin Foster, who was able to score the victory by all of a short head.
Teflon Don, a three-year-old bay colt, was successful in a three-yearold (non-winners of two) and imported three-year-olds and upward (maidens) race. Bred by Casual Trick out of The Lady Scored, Teflon Don came from last position in the nine-horse field to win in a time of 1:01.2 (23.0 x 47.0). Pope’s Lady finished third, with the final time recorded at 1:01.2.
While the win was encouraging, trainer Jason Dacosta said that it is still a learning process for his charge as Teflon Don is still to show his true potential.
“We are still trying to figure him [Teflon Don] out. He promised a lot early in his career, after winning impressively the first time out, but he has not lived up to expectations after that,” Dacosta told the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.
“This was an improved run today, back over the five straight where he had won the first time out. We continue to learn and figure him out and see what fits him best, and we will go from there. It is still a learning process with him and so we will take it day by day with him.
“It was a gritty performance as he got badly interfered with at the starting gates and came from way off the pace to find the lead and held on. Good to see that he has some heart, and hopefully we can figure him out and he improves and we will see where he goes from here,” the champion trainer added.
Ridden by Tevin Foster, Teflon Don trailed the early leaders from the back of the pack while Pope’s Lady (Youville Pinnock), Ms Cherry (Josue Osorio), and Prince Amaan (Raddesh Roman) contested the lead.
Crossing the dummy rails, Teflon Don appeared and looked threatening, along with Magnificent Force (Oneil Mullings). Teflon Don surged ahead of competitors in the latter part of the race to win in the glass.