Orville Clarke, Freelance WriterI'MSATISFIED secured his place in racing history yesterday when he became the seventh Triple Crown winner at Caymanas Park, thanks to an impressive victory in the season's final classic, The National Jamaica St. Leger over 2000 metres.
Ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths for 11-time champion trainer Philip Feanny - the celebrated classic winning team - I'MSATISFIED ran on strongly in the straight to win by 2 1/2 lengths from the 6-5 marginal favourite RESTLESS WARRIOR under champion jockey Andrew Ramgeet in the field of eight native bred three-year-olds.
In third place, a farther length away, was the Track Price Plus 1000 Guineas winner RAY OF HOPE (14-1) with fourth going to the 2-1 third choice AERO STAR, who earlier this season romped home in the Courts Jamaica Oaks and Lotto Classic (Governor's Cup).
Installed a 6-5 second favourite, having been nosed out of the market leader position by RESTLESS WARRIOR in the last flash, I'MSATISFIED was well away from the number one post position. Rated early by Griffiths, he raced prominently in third passing the stands for the first time as 70-1 outsider MIGHTY JOE YOUNG led from HALLELUJAH.
As they sorted themselves out and entered the backstretch, MIGHTY JOE YOUNG proceeded to lead by a length from the winner's lesser fancied stable-companion HALLELUJAH, with the filly AERO STAR going third under Charles Hussey and I'MSATISFIED tucked in fourth along the rails, followed by RESTLESS WARRIOR in touch.
By the time they galloped towards the final bend, however, the whole picture had changed. MIGHTY JOE YOUNG had given way to HALLELUJAH leaving the half mile and I'MSATISFIED had lost his position after being squeezed out on the inner at the half mile, dropping back to last but one at that stage.
As a result, I'MSATISFIED had to switch to the long route outside and seemingly had it all to do when turning for home four lengths fifth, at which stage RESTLESS WARRIOR was marginally ahead of AERO STAR and RAY OF HOPE looming on the inside. But I'MSATISFIED was not to be denied.
Under sustained right-hand whipping from Griffiths, the dark bay gelding by The Medic out of the Pacemaker mare Midnight Angel produced a rare turn of foot on the outside approaching the distance. He caught up with RESTLESS WARRIOR and AERO STAR early in the last furlong, then sealed the issue in a manner of strides.
Significantly, Feanny and Griffiths both attained their fourth Triple Crown success.
I'MSATISFIED, who is unbeaten in eight starts this season, is owned by Joseph "Fuggie" Duany and bred by Clovis Metcalfe. Duany, in particular, was overwhelmed with joy:
"He's a big horse ... the best," he declared. "Not even the devil could stop him at the half mile. I'm estatic and truly satisfied to be associated with a Triple Crown winner. My years of involvement in racing has paid off in a big way today."
Ramgeet booted home four winners on the 11-race programme, including THE BARBARIAN (2-1) for champion trainer Wayne DaCosta in the West Indian Thoroughbred Racing Association 3-Y-O Sprint and 4-5 favourite MENUDO for owner/trainer Richard Azan in the Viceroy Trophy over 1800 metres for top-class horses.
