KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC — In a thrilling display of grit and determination, Jason DaCosta’s American-bred Funcaandun delivered a sensational upset to win the third staging of the prestigious Mouttet Mile Invitational here Saturday.
Ridden by the spirited Robert Halledeen, Funcaandun surged past the competition to claim the coveted US$250,000 purse, the largest prize in the English-speaking Caribbean.
The victory was a monumental achievement for DaCosta, who entered as the underdog in a high-stakes showdown against last year’s winning trainer, Rohan Crichton. Crichton’s highly touted duo, Legacy Isle (Emisael Jaramillo) and Commandant (Dane Nelson), were heavily backed to defend his title, but the 17-1 shot Funcaandun had other plans.
From the start, early speedsters Bandura (Jerome Innis), Pack Plays (Kevin Krigger), and Desert of Malibu (Raddesh Roman) set a blistering pace. Crichton’s Legacy Isle tracked the front-runners closely in fourth while Commandant and Funcaandun waited patiently mid-pack.
The race took a dramatic turn at the half-mile marker as Legacy Isle surged into second before grabbing the lead ahead of the home turn. Behind him, Commandant and Funcaandun began to close in, setting the stage for an electrifying battle down the stretch.
Legacy Isle fought valiantly to maintain his advantage as they thundered into the final furlong. However, Halledeen, in a masterful ride, rallied Funcaandun with relentless strides. Funcaandun edged past Legacy Isle by a neck, securing a dramatic victory for owner Carlton Watson.
Crichton’s runners had to settle for second and third, with Legacy Isle finishing ahead of stablemate Commandant. Donovan Hutchinson’s Further and Beyond (Aaron Chatrie) completed the top four in the fiercely contested event.
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