ALSAFRA, with Brian Harding up, winning the Jamaica Oaks on April 26. - file

The 88th running of the Digicel Jamaica Derby promises to be the most intriguing in years, thanks to the presence of an exceptional filly, ALSAFRA, and outstanding colt, ROYAL IMAGE.

A bumper crowd is expected at Caymanas Park tomorrow to witness the long-awaited clash between two horses still in line for triple crown glory. But while the focus will be on these two, and rightly so, the supporting cast, led by the Lotto Classic runner-up MINISTEROFJUSTICE and others such as JOSIE WALES and LEONIDAS, could rise to the occasion in this, the ultimate test of speed and stamina.

Interestingly, fillies have won the Derby on 12 occasions in 49 years of racing at Caymanas Park.

History has shown that it takes an exceptional filly to upstage the colts and geldings in the mile and a half classic, which this year offers an increased purse of $5 million.

Since 1959, the roll of honour is testimony to that, with the likes of SKA, THORNBIRD, POORLITTLERICHGIRL, RESTLESS BABE, AWESOME POWER and SIMPLY MAGIC included.

Created history

In 2003, SIMPLY MAGIC, ridden by leading all-time jockey Winston Griffiths for owner David Willers and many-time champion trainer Philip Feanny, not only won the Derby, but the 1000 Guineas and St Leger. She thus created history, becoming the first filly to win the Triple Crown at Caymanas Park.

SIMPLY MAGIC achieved Derby glory five years ago. Since then, the colts have dominated, but all that could change tomorrow.

ALSAFRA, to be ridden by two-time champion jockey Brian Harding for trainer Fitznahum Williams and co-owners Sherman Clachar and Norman Gordon, so impressed when winning the April 26 Bigga Oaks in the smart time of :2.07.1 that it will take a smart performance to deny her.

The chestnut filly by Legal Process out of the 2007 champion broodmare Tee Gee Vee has also impressed in her preparation.

Winning fillies

The fillies to have won the Derby at Caymanas Park are as follows:

BLUSH with the legendary Arthur Jones riding for trainer Gerry Skelton in 1959 (the year the track opened); PRINCESS ROYAL (1961), ridden by Kenneth Mattis for trainer Sydney Watson who is still active today, followed by SKA (1966), TITANIA (1974), HELLO POOCHIE LIU (1983), THORNBIRD (1984), DISTINCTLY NATIVE (1990), POORLITTLERICHGIRL (1991), RESTLESS BABE (1993), GOOD PROSPECT (1999), AWESOME POWER (2001) and SIMPLY MAGIC (2002).