分类： sports

Trainer Anthony ‘Baba’ Nunes is emerging as a formidable force in the upcoming $1.5-million St Elizabeth Distaff, scheduled for Sunday. With his top two runners, Fearless Force and Linguist, Nunes has a strong chance to clinch the Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-old fillies and mares over one mile (1,600m). Here’s an analysis of the runners and their prospects:

1. **Pretty Perfect**: The Winston ‘Fanna’ Griffiths Classic winner faces a daunting challenge against a highly competitive field, making her likely to be outclassed.

2. **Burning Hedge**: This year’s 1000 Guineas champion has shown remarkable consistency but will face stiff competition from Fearless Force and stablemate Linguist.

3. **Sistren Treasure (USA)**: Struggling in recent performances, this filly is unlikely to make a significant impact in this race.

4. **Immeasurable Joy**: Given the strength of the competition, this contender has little chance of securing a win.

5. **Main Mistress (USA)**: A recent winner on October 25, she is expected to perform well but is unlikely to take the top spot.

6. **Fearless Force (USA)**: Unbeatable on paper, Fearless Force has trained exceptionally well and is stepping down in class, making her the top contender to lead the pack and claim the trophy.

7. **Linguist**: The Jamaica Oaks winner has excelled in her two starts at this level and could challenge Fearless Force for top honors, positioning her as a strong contender for an upset.

— Ruddy Allen

Schools in Jamaica have until 2:00 PM on Friday to confirm their participation in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Rural Area schoolgirls’ netball competition, which was disrupted by Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane, which struck on October 28, led to the suspension of various sports, including netball, football, and basketball. Despite efforts to restart the netball competition, 38 out of 57 participating schools had not confirmed their willingness to resume by Thursday afternoon. ISSA, the governing body for high school sports, issued a memo on Thursday listing schools from at least seven parishes that had yet to respond. Notably, most of the unresponsive schools are from western Jamaica, an area severely impacted by the hurricane. In contrast, the schoolboys’ football competitions, the daCosta Cup and Manning Cup, are set to resume later this month after consultations with stakeholders. These football competitions, which began in early September, had progressed to the round of 16, with participating schools expressing readiness to continue. The netball competition, divided into under-16 and under-19 age groups, faces uncertainty as schools from parishes such as St James, Hanover, Trelawny, St Elizabeth, Manchester, St Ann, St Mary, St Catherine, and Portland remain undecided.

Jamaican jockey Tevin Foster is making a triumphant return to his home turf, igniting excitement among racing enthusiasts. After a stellar debut season in Canada, where he secured 14 wins, 23 second-place finishes, and 29 third-place finishes from 173 mounts, amassing earnings of CAN$252,194, Foster is poised to dominate the tracks this weekend with 10 scheduled rides. His packed agenda begins on Saturday, where he’ll partner with Cassini for trainer Adrian Prince in the opening race, followed by Dancing Aviator for Jason DaCosta in the third. The action continues with Green Gold Rush for Ryan Darby in the sixth, J Spieth for DaCosta in the eighth, and concludes with Provident for DaCosta in the final event. Sunday’s lineup is equally thrilling, with Foster aboard Princess Fiannie for Omar Williams in the first race, Money Monster for Adrian Prince in the fourth, and the highly anticipated St Elizabeth Distaff, where he’ll ride Fearless Force for Anthony Nunes. The Port Royal Sprint will see him team up with Is That A Fact for DaCosta, and he’ll wrap up the weekend with Girvano for DaCosta in the Jamaica Cup. Foster’s return is particularly poignant as Jamaica continues to recover from the devastation wrought by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28. All eyes will be on Foster as he aims to deliver a stellar performance on home soil.

In a high-stakes FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were held to a 1-1 draw by Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) on Thursday night. The result leaves Jamaica in a precarious position in Group B, with their upcoming match against Curaçao now a must-win encounter to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Jamaica currently sits second in the group with 10 points, trailing Curaçao, who surged to 11 points after a dominant 7-0 victory over Bermuda. T&T remains third with six points, while Bermuda is yet to secure a point. The match carried significant emotional weight for Jamaica, as the team aims to mark the 100th anniversary of their first international match with a World Cup berth, offering a beacon of hope for a nation still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. The game began with T&T capitalizing on their home advantage, with captain Levi Garcia testing Jamaica’s defense early. Despite Jamaica’s resilience, T&T’s relentless pressure paid off in the 85th minute when Kevin Molino equalized after Jamaica failed to clear a throw-in. Jamaica’s lone goal came in the 53rd minute through Renaldo Cephas, who delivered a stunning solo effort. However, the Reggae Boyz couldn’t capitalize on late chances, leaving their fate to be decided in Tuesday’s decisive clash against Curaçao in Kingston. Only the group winners are guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, with the best second-place team entering a playoff for a chance to compete on the global stage.

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has officially announced the resumption of inter-school sports competitions, starting the week of November 24, 2025. This decision comes after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including participating schools, sponsors, match officials, and ISSA’s general membership. Despite the significant impact of Hurricane Melissa on several member schools, there was a strong consensus among stakeholders to resume the competitions. The Manning and DaCosta Cups will kick off at the round of 16 stage on November 28 and 29, 2025. However, junior football competitions have been postponed until the start of the Easter Term in January 2026. ISSA emphasized its commitment to leveraging these competitions as a means to support students in recovering from the physical and psychological effects of the hurricane. The association also plans to engage stakeholders in post-hurricane relief efforts through its competition activities. A detailed revised schedule for Netball (U19/U16), Basketball (U19/U16), and the Manning/DaCosta Cups will be released by November 20, 2025.

In a tense Concacaf World Cup qualifier on Thursday, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were held to a 1-1 draw by regional rivals Trinidad & Tobago. The result saw Jamaica relinquish their group lead to Curacao, setting the stage for a decisive clash in Tuesday’s finale. Renaldo Cephas broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a stunning solo effort, but Kevin Molino equalized for Trinidad & Tobago with a low drive in the 85th minute. The match, closely followed by Observer Online, highlighted both individual brilliance and missed opportunities. Goalkeeper Andre Blake made five crucial saves but was powerless to stop Molino’s strike. Ethan Pinnock and Isaac Hayden stood out with solid defensive and midfield contributions, while Bobby Reid’s lackluster performance raised questions about his role. Cephas, named Man of the Match, shone with his goal and relentless attacking efforts. Substitutes Dujuan Richards and Tyreece Campbell made notable impacts, but defensive lapses ultimately cost Jamaica the win. The Reggae Boyz now face a must-win scenario against Curacao to reclaim their position in the group.