Maverick finally gets it right

The Jason DaCosta-trained three-year-old bay colt — beaten a short-head in the Jamaica Derby over 12 furlongs (2,400m) on August 6, a no-show in the Winston Griffiths OD Classic over 9½ furlongs (1,900m) on September 6, and beaten a head by foreigner Always Bourbon over 7 furlongs (1,400m)on September 19 — found the winners’ enclosure when it mattered, grinding out a gutsy one-length win in the Reggae 6 Anniversary Trophy over 6 furlongs (1,200m). It was not handed to him as he had to fight for it. Drawn widest at post 11, Robert Halledeen had to work early, hustling Maverick across to the fence to match strides with Dashallday (Raddesh Roman) through 23.2 and 48.1. Around the turn, Maverick put that rival away — but his race was far from over. Dashallday cried enough, finishing third, but the danger was just arriving. God’s Plan (Emelio McLean) came with a rattling late run down the inside rails and looked set to snatch it. Halledeen went to work. Under strong, driving handling, Maverick dug in. He would not be denied again. He held off God’s Plan in 1:14.2. For the son of Aveenu Malcainu – Midnight In Paris, it was win number two from seven starts and pushed his earnings to near $3 million. More importantly, it was redemption.