Jason DaCosta Sets Sights on Bartley Memorial Double With American Aviator and I Dream Again

Champion conditioner Jason DaCosta looks strongly placed to command Sunday's Hubert 'Chinna' Bartley Memorial programme, fielding United States-bred speedster AMERICAN AVIATOR in the opening division while last year's Jamaica Derby and St Leger champion, I DREAM AGAIN, anchors the 10-race card in division two.

AMERICAN AVIATOR has drawn favourably from post one, a rail berth that should let him hug the inside through the backstretch and use his searing early pace to shake off slower opponents over his preferred trip.

The four-year-old has never finished below second in four seven-furlong outings this season, winning twice, including a commanding defeat of leading three-year-old WE JAMMIN in March. In last month's Labour Day Trophy, he tried to build a lead on grade-one performer NAUTICAL STAR but was caught late by the fellow import, a North American winner brought in for December's US$300,000 Mouttet Mile.

AMERICAN AVIATOR's 2025 rival, locally bred MARK MY IDENTITY, has twice beaten the foreigner this season yet was badly outpaced in the Labour Day Trophy, raising the possibility that repeated runs at the distance have blunted his competitiveness.

I DREAM AGAIN, dropped into overnight allowance company late last season despite having already captured two classic races, found easier ground this year among non-winners-of-four rivals and responded with a seven-furlong win in 1:26.4.

DaCosta has kept the Derby and St Leger graduate sharp with consecutive sprint assignments on the straight course, finishing six lengths behind LINGUIST and RAINSVILLE in turn. Back on the round track against horses yet to win an overnight allowance, I DREAM AGAIN is expected to take division two ahead of ALLEGIANCE from rival trainer Anthony Nunes' stable.