Latest News
I Dream Again secures Derby first for DaCosta, Halledeen
August 07, 2025
CLAIMING rider Tyrese Anderson almost turned the Reggae 6 mandatory payout on its head with 26-1 shot RADAM but was denied back-to-back winners after his number was taken down for interference to FIRST OFFENSE, who was awarded the event at odds of 5-1.
The longest shot on the Reggae 6, FIRST OFFENSE pushed the mandatory payout to $98,099 on Derby Day, which closed the three-day Emancipendence Carnival marked by I DREAM AGAIN's hard-fought Jamaica Derby victory over 1000 Guineas winner BURNING HEDGE.
Anderson made amends by landing the eighth event astride MILITARY LIGHT, two winners on the day, bettered by Robert Halledeen sweeping the last three races in combination with champion and leading trainer Jason DaCosta, closing with I DREAM AGAIN, their first Derby winner.
Whereas Halledeen and DaCosta were tasting Derby success for the first time, it was another dream come true for former Member of Parliament Derrick Smith, who named I DREAM AGAIN for SEEKING MY DREAM, his two-time Horse of the Year and dual Diamond Mile winner (2015-2016).
SEEKING MY DREAM won the 2015 Jamaica Derby for Smith and late 18-time champion trainer, Wayne DaCosta, Jason's father.
I DREAM AGAIN went winning post to winning post in the Derby, leading after the first three furlongs into the clubhouse turn, just ahead of STRONG MIND.
Pressed briefly by NUCLEAR JET, I DREAM AGAIN was afterwards tested by 2000 Guineas winner, SENSATIONAL SOUL, five furlongs out in the mile-and-a-half Derby.
After seeing off SENSATIONAL SOUL, it was the turn of BURNING HEDGE, who had travelled a rail route into a stalking fourth position, improving rapidly into second coming off the home turn.
A thrilling duel ensued in which the whip rule was made a mockery by Halledeen, who, all told, delivered no fewer than 15 strikes, especially close home, to conjure a tremendous rally from rail-running I DREAM AGAIN, winning the Derby by a length in 2:40.0.
Halledeen and DaCosta dominated the back end of the 11-race Derby Day card, I DREAM AGAIN closing a hat-trick of winners for the jockey-trainer combination, having landed the ninth and 10th events with importees GIRVANO and H TWO O, respectively.
